Exeter Racecourse have today confirmed some changes to their programmed hunters' chases.
The amendments are intended to allow more opportunity for British pointers, following the impact of Covid-19.
Changes include widening the Intermediate Hunters' Chase to allow runners from the Wessex and West Midlands point-to-point areas, and allowing qualifiers from the 2019/20 season to line up in the P2P Bumper.
Full race conditions below:
Exeter / Tuesday 6 April 2021 Totnes and Bridgetown Races Company Ltd Open Hunters' Chase (Class 6)
Weights published on April 1st | Declarations to run must be made by April 4th | TO CLOSE BY NOON ON MARCH 31ST
for five yrs old and upwards | about THREE MILES (3m 54yds) | Weights: 11st 12lb each
Exeter / Friday 16 April 2021 Totnes and Bridgetown Races Co Ltd Intermediate Hunters' Chase (Class 6)
Weights published on April 11th | Declarations to run must be made by April 14th | TO CLOSE BY NOON ON APRIL 10TH
for five yrs old and upwards, which have not won any Steeplechase or Hurdle race under the rules of any Recognised Racing Authority nor any Mens, Ladies or Mixed Open and which, after September 30th 2018, have finished FIRST, SECOND, THIRD or FOURTH in an Intermediate or Conditions point to point (to include Confined, Club Association, Service or Society Point-to-Point races) or have won a Restricted or Maiden race (not including point to point flat races). Only horses with Hunters' Certificates registered with any of the West Midlands Area, Wessex Area and Devon & Cornwall participating hunts are qualified to enter this race.
about THREE MILES (3m 54yds)
Enter by noon, April 10th and pay £18 stake. Declare by 10.00 a.m. April 14th
Weights: 11st 12lb each. Mares allowed…7lb. Penalties, after 2019, a winner of a steeple chase…4lb Of 2 steeple chases or of a Class 1 to Class 3 steeple chase…8lb
(Half penalties for wins achieved in Novices' and Maiden Hunters' Steeple Chases in Great Britain or Ireland)
NB: With reference to the 8lb penalty for at least two Chase wins, a horse may only claim a half penalty if all wins were in Novice or Maiden Hunters' Steeple Chases
To be ridden by Amateur Jockeys. 18 HC
Exeter / Thursday 22 April 2021 / 7:55pm / Goffs Spring Sales P2P Bumper Maiden National Hunt Flat Race (Class 5) (Amateur Riders' Race) (GBB Race)
Weights published on April 17th | Declarations to run must be made by April 20th | TO CLOSE BY NOON ON APRIL 16TH
for maiden four, five and six yrs old only, which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing and which, after October 2019 and before April 16th, 2021, have, on at least one occasion, finished first, second or third in a Point-to-Point Flat race or any category of Maiden Point-to-Point steeple chase staged in Great Britain
TWO MILES ABOUT ONE FURLONG (2m 175yds)
Weights: 4-y-o........11st 7lb; 5-y-o and 6-y-o…11st 12lb
Fillies and mares allowed…7lb
The riders shall be: (i) Conditional Jockeys (ii) Overseas Jockeys who are under 26 years of age and who, within the past 6 months, have been eligible to claim
an allowance under the provisions of paragraph 53 of the Weights and Handicapping Code (iii) Amateur Jockeys holding 'Category A' or 'Category B'
permits to ride, or (iv) Amateur Overseas Jockeys eligible under Rule (B)30. The Riders' Allowances under paragraph 53 of the Weights and
Handicapping Code may be claimed in this Race
Horses placed first, second or third in the official order of finish to this race will be offered a free wildcard entry to the DBS Spring Sales.
ELIMINATION PROCEDURE - Horses will be protected from elimination in order of number of wins gained in Point-to-Point races during the current Point-to-Point season. Should it be necessary to eliminate some but not all horses with the same profile, random balloting will apply. PLEASE NOTE: For the purposes of Trainer's licences and Trainer's permits, this race will be treated as a Hunters' Steeple Chase. The British Horseracing Authority has modified Regulation 34
so that running in this race will not affect a horse's eligibility for Point-to-Points. If qualified, privately trained horses may run in this race under Rule (C)1 (as modified). (i.e. Horses are not required to be 'in training' and may continue to run in Point-to-Points after this race). The British Horseracing Authority has modified Rule (C)1 and Schedule (F)8 of the Rules of Racing for the purposes of this race.
Exeter / Thursday 22 April 2021 / 7:25pm / Heavitree and Exeter Supports P2P Novices' Hunters' Chase (Class 6)
Weights published on April 17th | Declarations to run must be made by April 20th | TO CLOSE BY NOON ON APRIL 16TH
for novice five yrs old and upwards. NOTE: For the year 2021, the term 'Novice' for Hunters' Steeple Chases is defined as a horse which has not won a steeple chase
before June 1st, 2020 | about THREE MILES (3m 54yds) | Weights: 11st 10lb each