Exeter Racecourse begins Christmas celebrations

Christmas is fast approaching and Exeter Racecourse will be getting into the spirit of the festivities at its first December meeting next Friday (December 6) when the trees will be decked in decorations and a mouth-watering seven race card will prove the perfect start for a long weekend.

The total prize money for the meeting has been increased to £80,000 and a new handicap chase worth £25,000 has been added to the card.

Exeter’s general manager Tim Darby said: “It’s a very popular meeting. A particularly strong card coupled with full boxes for corporate hospitality mean December is always buzzing on Haldon Hill. In racing terms, the increase in prize money is great news for the racecourse, and it’s a meeting where we always expect to see one or two potentially very good horses in action.”

There are seven races on the card including the ever popular Devon Marathon which is run over four miles and attracts some of the best staying chases in training. The class two Harry Dutfield Memorial Novices’ Chase over two miles three furlongs is sure to attract some decent horses while the bumper is always a race for the notebook.

The 2011 renewal saw Southfield Theatre finish third. He has since run seven times, winning four of them and just got touched off for third in a competitive listed hurdle race at Cheltenham in November.

Mr Darby said: “With our free bus from Exeter and our group discounts for ten or more, we find that people make the racecourse their first port of call during December to partake in some Christmas celebrations, whether it be businesses, groups of friends or clubs.”

The first of seven races comes under starters’ orders at 12.25pm with the last race off at 3.45pm The free bus leaves Exeter St David’s at 11.00am and the Bus & Coach Station at 11.15am, returning half an hour after the last race.

Tickets can be pre-booked by visiting www.exeter-racecourse.co.uk or calling the ticket hotline on 08445 793005.