Wetherby Racecourse set for richest race of season (From Gazette & Herald)

Wetherby Racecourse set for richest race of season

11:25am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport

WETHERBY Racecourse is gearing up to stage its richest race of the season this weekend.

The £100,000 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase is part of a two-day jumps meeting on Friday and Saturday which carries total prize money of £244,500.

Sponsored for the tenth year by leading sports bookmaker bet365, Saturday’s Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 contest over three miles and one furlong.

The race is recognised as one of the most important and informative early-season races for top chasers as they set out on the long road to the Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals in the spring.

The race commemorates the local Champion Hurdle-winning trainer, Charlie Hall who recorded a remarkable 169 winners at Wetherby from his base at nearby Towton.

Possible contenders include last year’s winner, Weird Al, and runner-up, Time For Rupert, along with Diamond Harry and Midnight Chase.

The action on Friday begins at 1pm, while Saturday’s seven-race programme gets under way at 12.35pm.