- Alan King double handed in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle
- Rayvin Black bids to retain Kingwell crown
- 10 times Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, enters Irving and Capitaine
Tuesday, 14th February 2017 – Entries for Wincanton’s Champion Hurdle trial has attracted 10 classy contenders with the JP McManus-owned Yanworth attracting the most attention.
Earlier in the month, the seven-year-old tweaked a muscle on his hind quarters which ruled him out of a Sandown prep race. However, the small problem has been resolved and Wincanton racegoers will be looking to cheer home the infamous green and yellow colours this Saturday, February 18th in the Betway Kingwell Hurdle.
Alan King says: “We worked Yanworth this morning on the grass and it’s all systems go for Saturday.
“We really appreciated that Barry Johnson, Wincanton’s Clerk of the Course, brought forward the Betway Kingwell Hurdle to 2:45pm to provide these Champion Hurdle contenders with first dibs of the hurdle track.”
When asked about his other entry, King replied: “Sceau Royal is not a guaranteed runner at the moment – I wouldn’t want to run him on really testing ground. We’ll have to see how the weather holds and how Wincanton’s dries.”
The 10 times Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, is double handed with Irving and Capitaine both entered for the Grade Two contest.
Nicholls, a triple winner of the feature race, said: “Both my horses have dual entries for racing at Wincanton and Kelso. We’ll see how the weather fairs and make a decision later in the week.”
Last year’s Kingwell champion, Rayvin Black, is set to run in an attempt to retain his crown. His trainer, Oliver Sherwood, explains: “The plan is run this Saturday at Wincanton but it will be weather dependent. If it dries out considerably then we won’t run.
“We’re been swimming with Rayvin Black to freshen him up and after Saturday, we may head to France to pick up some international contests.”
Gates open on Saturday, February 18th at 11:30am for a seven racecard. Racing starts at 1:40pm with the Betway Kingwell Hurdle run as the third race of the day at 2:45pm and the last race at 5:05pm.
The going is currently soft, heavy in places.
Tickets for racing this Saturday start from £16 for Grandstand enclosure and £21 for the Premier enclosure. Book now to enjoy one of the best day’s racing in Somerset on 0344 579 3014 or wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk
About Wincanton Racecourse:
Wincanton Racecourse is situated in the heart of Somerset – home to rural jump racing. Wincanton stages 18 meetings each season. Please find more details at wincanton.thejockeyclub.co.uk and through Twitter (@WincantonRaces) and Facebook facebook.com/WincantonRaces
Wincanton Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2015: £174.2m), attendances (2015: 1.95m), total prize money (2015: £43.9m), contribution to prize money (2015: £19.9m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
For further information please contact:
Hannah Walker, Wincanton Racecourse on 07971 598287 or hannahwalker@localdial.com
