Wincanton

Wincanton is a small market town in Somerset in the South West of England.

There are a number of places of interest close by, including:

Sherborne Abbey – http://sherborneabbey.com/

Alfreds Tower – http://www.alfredstower.info/

Stourhead House and Garden – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead

Wincanton Racecourse

Wincanton Racecourse stages National Hunt Racing on turf.

The course is a 1m 3f right handed, mainly flat and sharp, particularly when the ground is firm. Testing ground can ensure thorough test, often with a low percentage of completions. The fences are generally stiff. The three fences in the home straight come close together rendering it difficult to come from behind.

Clerk of the course: Barry Johnson

Course telephone number: 01963 435 840

Full address: Wincanton Racecourse, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8BJ.

Getting Here

Wincanton is 115 miles from Central London, 132 miles from Birmingham, 96 miles from Cardiff, 211 miles from Manchester and 417 miles from Edinburgh.

The racecourse is a mile north of the town on the B3081 Shepton Mallet Road

The course post code is BA9 8BJ.

Course parking in the main car park is free.

The nearest railway station is Templecombe Station from which there is a courtesy bus to and from the course. The racecourse publish the times of services on the website on each racing day. Other nearby stations are Gillingham Station (9 miles), Bruton (4 miles), and Castle Cary (8 miles).

Racecourse Facilities

Course website: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/wincanton/

Disabled access: https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/wincanton/visitor-info/faqs/#is_there_disabled_access_on

There are three enclosures to choose from. They are The Premier Enclosure, The Grandstand Enclosure (combined today) and The Course Enclosure. There isn’t a strict dress code at Wincanton though the course naturally reserve the right to exclude anyone dressed offensively. The view of the final hurdle and fence from the grandstand enclosure is superb, though you are still half a furlong + from the finish line.

The course advertise a couple of restaurants on the website with packages for race days. I didn’t use one today but they look pretty good to me and seem reasonably priced. https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/wincanton/hospitality/restaurant-packages/

There are plenty of eating options. The Badger Bar were doing some lovely looking food today. There are also some fast food vans around and plenty of bars to choose from.

There is lots of room behind the stands and this is where you will find the parade rings, weighing room and entrances to some of the bars

My Day

This was my first ever visit to Wincanton racecourse and I will certainly come along again. It’s really friendly, the staff were great and the fare on offer was nice. One bad point is that £2 for a can of coke is way over the top…..!

The first race on the card was a Class 4 Novice Hurdle over an extended 2m 5f. My eye was immediately drawn to Champagne Mystery from the Nicky Henderson yard and having his third start over hurdles. His first run at Aintree back in December was spoilt when forced to run out due to the interference of a loose horse. He ran well two weeks later at Market Rasen finishing a half length second to War Brigade who would later finish second to the half decent Thomas Darby. That was over an extended 2m but todays extra 5f shouldn’t bother him. His main market rival today was the Olly Murphy trained Chez Hans who once left clear two out, won by 12 lengths over a furlong shorter at Leicester (Good to Firm). The racing post note that he began to weaken approaching the last so I’m not convince that if in a battle today that he will see out the extra furlong here on likely softer ground. I’m confident about Champagne Mystery.

Chez Hands seemed quite friendless in the market on the day as money came for Old Rascals. Champagne Mystery was strong enough in the market. The favourite didn’t settle early on and pulled his way to the front going out on the final circuit and there he stayed until between the last two when challenged by Old Rascals who then took it up at the last and won going away.

That was about it for me serious betting wise though I did have a little bet each way on both Statistical and also Overland Flyer (Won) a bit later, so no serious damage ?

So just two left to do (three if they race at Towcester again) and next stop is Champions Hurdle Day at Cheltenham the week after next!