Following the loss of the Grade 2, First National Gold Cup at Ascot on Saturday, November 23rd, the British Horseracing Board is pleased to announce that a new race will be staged at Wincanton on Thursday, December 5th, as a replacement opportunity.
BHB Controller of Programmes Ruth Quinn said today: 鈥淭his valuable replacement race has been created because we recognise that there are few opportunities like the First National Gold Cup for second-season chasers.
鈥淲e always look to owners and trainers to give particular consideration to running in rearranged or replacement races, but in this case we would make a special plea. A small field will provide little incentive for everyone who has worked so hard to put the race on, and contributed funding, to do so in similar circumstances in the future.鈥�
Tote鈥檚 PR Director Andy Clifton said 鈥淲e are pleased to help to support this valuable opportunity for up and coming chasers following the abandonment of Ascot last weekend. I hope that owners and trainers justify our support and the flexibility shown by the rest of the industry by providing an interesting and competitive race.鈥�
Thanks go to the Horserace Betting Levy Board, the Tote and Wincanton Racecourse Executive for their generous financial contributions to this race. Revised running order is as follows:
12:15 51763 The Best South West Racecourse Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class D)
12:45 51762 The Tote Trifecta Hurdle Race (Handicap) (Class D)
01:20 51767 The Tote Exacta Levy Board Intermediate Steeple Chase (Class B)
01:50 51766 The Christmas Party Day Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class E)
02:25 51761 The Hilary Pike 60th Birthday Silver Buck Steeple Chase
(Showcase Handicap) (Class D)
02:55 51764 The See More Business Bar Handicap Steeple Chase (Class E)
03:25 51765 The Cerne Abbas ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race (E)
