The flat season has come to an end and the National Hunt season at Catterick Racecourse is now just two weeks away, with The Start of the Jumps on Friday 24 November.
The first of seven races is scheduled for 12:20pm with the feature race, The Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival Handicap Steeple Chase, due to take place at 1:50pm. The gates will open to the public two hours prior to the first race.
The last race, The Racing Again 19th December Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race, will bring the action to a close at 3:35pm.
During the afternoon, last season’s champion owner, trainer and jockey will be presented with their prizes, kindly sponsored by The Black Bull Inn, Moulton. Paul & Clare Rooney took the owners title with 17 points, while Donald McCain claimed the champion trainer title finishing the season with 62 points while his closest rival, Sue Smith was in second with 46 points. Brian Hughes rode 7 winners last season and as a result was named Champion Jockey, with 33 points separating him and Danny Cook in second.
Fiona Needham, General Manager and Clerk of the Course said: “Last season provided some exciting racing, including Sue Smith’s Straidnahanna winning our most prestigious race, the North Yorkshire Grand National. We’re looking forward to watching all of the action this season and seeing the 2017/18 champion series unfold, with thanks again to long standing sponsors The Black Bull Inn.”
The free shuttle bus will run between Richmond Market Place and the racecourse, leaving approximately one hour prior to the first race and will return again after the last.
This meeting is the first of 10 National Hunt fixtures at Catterick Racecourse this season. The highlights of the jumps season calendar include the ever popular 28 December and New Year’s Day meetings, and the North Yorkshire Grand National on Thursday 11 January. The season finale will bring things to an end on Wednesday 7 March, Countryside Day.