Past winners among entries for Fontwell Park’s richest race

Seven high-class horses are in the frame for the race, which will be the centrepiece of the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle Raceday at the figure-of-eight jumps course.

The day is likely to attract a good-sized crowd, one of the best of the year at Fontwell.

Clerk of the course Philip Hide said: “This year's renewal has a total prize fund of £80,000, with £45,560 to connections of the winning horse, which makes it our biggest race.

"The event is named after National Spirit, a dual winner of the Champion Hurdle in the 1940s.

"National Spirit won five times at Fontwell Park.

"The race has been going since 1965 with some high-class winners over the years including Champion Hurdle winner Beech Road and Stayers Hurdle winners Baracouda and My Way De Solzen.”

This year’s entries are:

Blueking d'Oroux (trained by Paul Nicholls) – a dual Ascot winner.

Botox Has (Gary Moore) – won the National Spirit in 2022, beating Brewin by a head.

Brewin'upastorm (Olly Murphy) – won the National Spirit in 2021 and again last year.

Proschema (Dan Skelton) – was unplaced in the race last year.

Sonigino (Paul Nicholls) – needs a step up in form but has won on heavy ground.

Spirit d'Aunou (Gary Moore) – has won on heavy ground at Sandown.

West To The Bridge (Dan Skelton) – won four in a row in 2022 but has had a long lay-off

Fontwell Park executive director Guy Pridie said they were looking forward to Sunday’s fixture and hoped many local people would attend.

He said: “With the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle raceday being our richest race and fixture of the season, it’s been a key focus of ours to include more of our local community to enjoy the day and continue to build the profile.