FONTWELL PARK is gearing up for its first big race of 2012 – on a day when the racehorse will be centre of attention.
The Totepool National Spirit Hurdle is the centrepiece of this Sunday’s meeting, which will feature attractions allowing punters to find out everything about the make-up of the creatures that make the sport such a spectacle.
The feature race goes off at 3.40 and is one of seven contests on the card, which begins at 2.05pm.
One popular visitor on the day will be Lough Derg, winner of the National Spirit Hurdle in 2008 and 2009, who was recently retired after racking up more than £300,000 prize money.
Lough Derg will lead out this year’s field for the Grade 2 race and is sure of a warm reception from Fontwell fans.
The day will include numerous features in which race-goers can learn more about racehorses.
Temporary stables near the racecourse entrance will enable visitors to ‘meet’ some horses and there will be farrier demonstrations and the chance to ride on a horse equisizer. Topthorn and Captain Nicholls from the National Theatre’s Warhorse production will parade throughout the day.
Pony rides for youngsters and presentations from everyone from vets to racehorse trainers are also planned.
The Racehorse Sanctuary will be the beneficiary of charity collections.
And fittingly, in diamond jubilee year, the Queen is among owners who have runners entered on the card.
Barbers Shop, trained by Nicky Henderson, is a contender for the totepool Mobile Text tote To 89660 Foxhunters Trial Hunters Chase, and is sure to be well-backed if he makes the cut. The ten-year-old has seven career wins and seven places to his name.
Meanwhile Clerk’s Choice is gearing up for an assault on the National Spirit Hurdle – but trainer Oliver Sherwood’s hopes are in the lap of the weather gods.
The son of Bachelor Duke was the biggest name among the 15 horses declared for the contest earlier in the week.
But any rain between now and Sunday would end the 150-rated hurdler’s chances.
After impressing on the all-weather and at home in Lambourn, the six-year-old is one Sherwood wants to let loose.
“He is in great, great order and we are ready to go,” said the Rhonehurst trainer. “He is one of a whole heap of horses here who want decent ground – not the heavy ground we’ve had. That would be the only worry for us.”
Last year’s champion Celestial Halo will not defend his crown after finishing second behind a coasting Binocular in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last weekend.
Early weather forecasts are encouraging – cloudy but dry weather is set to continue until Sunday.
We’ll have tips for the meeting on this website on Sunday morning and a report later in the day.