An Exeter hunters' chase, The Jockey Club’s maiden mares’ series bonus and the 2024 running of the sponsors’ finale are in focus this week.
Friday’s intermediate hunters’ chase at Exeter has drawn 11 entries including two mares who could collect bonus money provided by The Jockey Club. Meanwhile owners and trainers have received notification that this season’s series final will now take place at Chaddesley Corbett’s Albrighton & Woodland fixture on Monday, May 27. The change has become necessary following the abandonment of the Berkeley meeting at Woodford on Saturday week (April 27) due to waterlogging.
As a result The Jockey Club’s mares’ maiden race which was due to be held on the Chaddesley Corbett card has increased in value and now offers £400 to the winner, £200 to the second and £100 to the third. It also means the winner and two placed horses become eligible for The Jockey Club Bonus.
The bonus doubles any prize money won by each of the three on their first, second or third run at a Jockey Club racecourse, up to a maximum of £10,000 to the filly or mare who wins at Chaddesley Corbett, and £5,000 to the second and third.
The 2023 final held at Woodford saw the Amber Jackson-Fennell-trained-and-ridden Grenadine Save (pictured above) beat the Stuart Payne-trained Harbour Queen under Chloe Emsley. Both mares are entered for the Swan Inn D&C Intermediate Series Final Hunters’ Steeple Chase (8.00) at The Jockey Club’s Exeter racecourse and will double any prize money they win for finishing in the first four. The winner of the race collects £3,080 and there is £1,540 to the second, £769 to the third and £385 to the fourth.
Harbour Queen (Chloe Emsley) who is in line for a bonus at Exeter on Friday