Fontwell is ready for its richest race of the year
Fontwell Park stages its highest-value race of the year on Sunday when the famous National Spirit Hurdle takes centre stage at the track.
Seven high-class horses are in the frame for the race, which will be the centrepiece of the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle Raceday at the figure-of-eight jumps course.
The day is likely to attract a good-sized crowd, one of the best of the year at Fontwell.
Clerk of the course Philip Hide said: “This year's renewal has a total prize fund of £80,000, with £45,560 to connections of the winning horse, which makes it our biggest race.
"The event is named after National Spirit, a dual winner of the Champion Hurdle in the 1940s.
"National Spirit won five times at Fontwell Park.
"The race has been going since 1965 with some highclass winners over the years including Champion Hurdle winner Beech Road and Stayers Hurdle winners Baracouda and My Way De Solzen.” This year’s entries are: Blueking d'oroux (trained by Paul Nicholls) – a dual Ascot winner.
Botox Has (Gary Moore) – won the National Spirit in 2022, beating Brewin by a head.
Brewin'upastorm (Olly Murphy) – won the National Spirit in 2021 and again last year.
Proschema (Dan Skelton) – was unplaced in the race last year.
Sonigino (Paul Nicholls) – needs a step up in form but has won on heavy ground.
Spirit d'aunou (Gary Moore) – has won on heavy ground at Sandown.
West To The Bridge (Dan Skelton) – won four in a row in 2022 but has had a long lay-off
Fontwell Park executive director Guy Pridie said they were looking forward to Sunday’s fixture and hoped many local people would attend.
Gates open at 12.30pm, with the first race at 2.30pm and the last going off at 5pm.
Headline sponsors for the day are Star Sports and tickets are cheaper if bought in advance - £21.
Under-18s get in free to all Fontwell Park race meetings.
The restaurant is sold out, but there is still some limited availability in private boxes.
There will be live music before racing and a new outside patio area will be open.
To book tickets visit fontwellpark.co.uk
See coverage of the big race on the new Observer app and in next week’s Observer.