Baywing returns to action at Wetherby, on Friday (1:35pm). Nicky Richards Winged Love-sired gelding hasn’t been seen on the track since looking well out of his depth in the G2 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock last February.
He jumped poorly and was in trouble by the time the 8th flight was reached. Baywing went off as the 2nd favourite in that race and it was a shock to see him perform so badly. He had won his previous 4 races (all handicaps) and it will be interesting to see if the 8-year-old can bounce back.
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Stage Is Set For Westend Story
Connections of Westend Story will be hoping that he can get back to winning ways, in the next race (2:10pm). The 6-year-old finished 5th in the Champion Bumper (beating Augusta Kate, among others), before disappointing at Warwick in far less-celebrated company. If Westend Story can sort his jumping out, he’ll take some beating.
Ian Williams’ German inmate, Amber Gambler, will be looking for a 3rd consecutive success in the 2:40pm. A 5-length defeat of My Anchor at Market Rasen was followed by another comfortable victory at Fakenham on New Year’s Day. Joseph Mercer, Benefit In Kind and Frank The Slink look the principle threats.
Racing At Wetherby
Wetherby is only twelve miles for the city of Leeds and many people from that city regularly visit the course. As the track is situated close to the busy A1 road (this links the North of England with London), spectators come from far and wide though.
The Romans raced Arab horses here, many years ago, so Wetherby is steeped in racing history. Races took place right next to the River Wharfe, at a village called Netherby. However, it wasn’t until the late-1800s that racing officially took place at Wetherby Racecourse.
Wetherby is located in a beautiful three-hundred acres of parkland. While many of the old traditions remain, the course has been well taken care of and brought up to date with a string of improvements in recent years. It is now regarded as one of the better National Hunt courses in the UK, combining a rich racing heritage with state-of-the-art facilities.
Visitors to Wetherby are often astonished by the spectacular views that can be enjoyed from the course. It is a very popular choice of venue for entertaining, business meetings, conferences and private functions.
The Millennium Stand
Terraces were not erected at Wetherby until the 1930s. The stand didn’t appear until the 1970s. For many years, Wetherby was regarded as a poor relation to the other racecourses in Yorkshire, most of which had much better buildings for the spectators. At the turn of the Twenty-First Century, the magnificent Millennium stand was built. Long overdue, it was the construction of this stand that saw Wetherby being begun to be taken seriously as a racing venue.
Wetherby is the only racecourse in Yorkshire that is totally dedicated to National Hunt racing. All of the other courses offer just flat racing, or a mixture of jumps and flat racing. Of the regular fixtures here, the Charlie Hall Chase and the Castleford Chase are probably the most prestigious events.
Visitors to the course will find many areas to explore including the Millennium Stand & Premier Enclosure, the Paddock Stands the Paddock Gallery, the Parade Ring and the Winners Enclosure. There are a number of bars and restaurants and prices will be within most people’s budgets. This is a small and friendly course and there is no need to dress formally. It is a great place to bring the family and enjoy the racing.
Don’t forget that RaceBets offer betting on all races in Great Britain and Ireland. We also offer betting on races that are taking place all over the planet. We are a specialist bookmaker that focuses entirely on racing and this is why we are able to provide such a comprehensive service.
