Amateur jump racing returns to Devon this weekend as the Dunsmore Racing Club gears up to welcome jockeys, owners, trainers and members of the public to the first meeting of the 2023/24 campaign.
Taking place on the outskirts of Exeter, a total of 54 entries have been received for the six-race card on Sunday, November 5, which is due to get underway at 12 noon and entry gates will be open from 10am.
Opening the card will be the Tattersalls Maiden for four and five-year-old horses in which Disco Davis (Francesca Poste) could score after finishing third at Kimblewick last season. He could be taken on by the locally-trained Nobel Don (Ian Chanin), who also ran into third place at Buckfastleigh and has the booking of Charlie Sprake to ride.
Next is the Grass Roots Riders Conditions, sponsored by Stuart Luxton and Steve Yeandle together with the Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company. This promises to be an exciting race with Notre Pari (Luke Harvey) looking to follow up on his win at Paxford. Poli Roi (Tim Vaughan) is one to go well fresh and was a winner at Wadebridge last January under Will Biddick.
Following this will be the first Exeter Racecourse Intermediate qualifier and of the six entries, Call Simon (Robert Chanin) could be well fancied. He’s a three-time winner, including at Dunsmore last season. However The Creadan Rogue (Joe O’Shea) looks to be the main danger, with the son of Scorpion being the highest rated and a previous winner at Tabley under jockey Huw Edwards.
The Heltor Oils and Fuels Mixed Open has attracted 12 entries, the most notable being From The Heart (Laura Jones) who stands out with three Mixed Open wins at Great Trethew, Wadebridge and Flete Park last season. He stays well and could be a winning ride for Laura’s sister, Natalie Parker. Highest in the ratings is Time Leader (Hannah Roche) with four hunter chase wins to his name. Course winner Humaniste (Danielle Kenealy) is another who will surely be high in the betting if turning up here.
The Friends of Silverton Hunt have sponsored the fifth race on the day’s card, the Restricted, in which A Tipple Or Two (Caroline Keevil) could follow up on his win at Ston Easton last season. Iskandar Pecos (Hannah Roche) has also been running progressively and has the booking of Huw Edwards to ride.
Closing the first fixture of the new season will be the three-mile Maiden, sponsored by Gingerland Livery. There are plenty with chances among the eight entries including Learntalot (Alan King), Mary’s Fortune (Tim Vaughan) and Tango’s Tangerine (Helen Bament) who all have previous place form.
Dunsmore (EX5 4DU) is located off the A396 at Silverton. Entrance to the course is £15 per person including a race card, with under sixteens entering for free. On course facilities include hot and cold refreshments, a licensed bar, bookmakers and a number of trade stands. There will also be a Christmas hamper raffle to enter.
In a new initiative, Dunsmore Racing Club will be hosting two free course walks this weekend with leading Devon and Cornwall area jockeys, Darren Edwards and Darren Andrews.
Taking place on Saturday, November 4 at 4pm (Darren Edwards) and Sunday, November 5 at 10.45am (Darren Andrews), the walks will be a great opportunity for young and inexperienced jockeys to gain experience and tips on how to ride for success at Dunsmore. There will also be the chance to ask any general race riding questions.
Those planning on attending the Saturday walk with Darren Edwards must book their place in advance by calling Angie Prouse on 07414 920614 before 5pm on Friday, November 3.
