A Summer Evening Worth Leaving the Sofa For

My father had a saying: "Any evening you spend at a racecourse is an evening well spent." He said it mostly to justify dragging the family to midweek meetings when the rest of the neighbourhood was watching telly, but you know what — he wasn't wrong. There's something about a summer evening fixture that feels like a proper treat. The shadows stretching across the track, a cold drink in hand, the low sun catching the silks. Magic.

Tonight's card at Wincanton is exactly that kind of occasion. Seven races across the evening session on what promises to be a cracking surface — the going is reported as Good to Firm, which out in Somerset in late June is about as good as it gets for a flat meeting. Fast enough to favour the speedsters, but with enough give to keep things safe and honest. If you haven't already pulled up the Wincanton racecard, now's the time.

We've got a lovely mix tonight — apprentice jockeys finding their feet, two-year-old debutants taking their first nervous steps into the spotlight, and a proper feature sprint that'll have the serious punters reaching for their notebooks. Let's get into it.

The Feature Race: Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap (19:17, Class 3, 5f 21y)

This is the one that'll get the pulses racing. The Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap at 19:17 is the standout race of the evening — a Class 3 sprint over five furlongs with £20,000 in prize money and a place in the Windsor Sprint Series on the line. Nine runners, a tight trip, and Good to Firm ground. In other words, it'll be over in a flash and you'll need to have your wits about you.

The horse I keep coming back to is Bassenthwaite, the three-year-old from Clive Cox's yard, ridden by Rossa Ryan. Top-rated in the field at 92, and crucially carrying a course and distance win to his name — that [D] marker is worth its weight in gold on a track like Wincanton where the tight turns and undulating layout can catch horses out. Cox is a trainer who knows how to place a sprinter, and Ryan is a jockey who thrives when the ground rides quick. At three, there's every chance the handicapper hasn't fully caught up with him yet.

Don't dismiss Glamorous Breeze either. Eight years old, you might say — surely past it? But this mare has both course and distance form ([C,D]), she clearly loves this track, and Christopher Mason's charge has been around long enough to know exactly what she's doing. Good to Firm suits veteran sprinters who've learned to conserve energy. She's the each-way insurance policy in this one.

Rosario, trained by Roger Teal and partnered by Marco Ghiani, also holds a distance win here and comes into the race rated 89. He's consistent and the ground should bring out the best in him. If Bassenthwaite gets into trouble in the early exchanges, Rosario could be the one picking up the pieces.

The Opener: Apprentice Handicap (17:45, Class 6, 6f 12y)

There's always something endearing about an apprentice race — a combination of raw talent, nerves, and the occasional moment of inspired brilliance that makes you think "remember the name." Tonight's opener is part of the Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Race Series, and it's a lovely opportunity to watch the next generation doing their thing.

With eleven runners over six furlongs on Good to Firm ground, the pace will be honest and the race should be run to suit those with course form. Lahina Bay — trained by Rachel Cook and John Bridger, ridden by Alexandra Egan — carries both course and distance form [C,D] and that experience could be decisive in a field where several riders are still learning the track. At 58 rated, she's competitive without being the obvious banker, which makes her interesting each-way.

Nordic Glory, a seven-year-old for Michael Attwater, also has course and distance form and is in the hands of James Glennon. Older, wiser horses can be a real asset in these apprentice races — they tend to do their own thing regardless of what's happening around them, which suits a less experienced rider perfectly.

Keep an eye on Donagh Murphy aboard the top-rated Giant (rated 60) — if the six-year-old travels well on the quick ground, Murphy's experience could tell in the closing stages. And Harry Vigors on Alashos is another worth a second glance, with that [D] marker suggesting the four-year-old has already shown he handles Wincanton's unique demands. Megan Smith on Blindfold Games completes the interesting trio of young riders to watch — the George Boughey-trained three-year-old is unproven here but comes from a yard that doesn't run horses without a plan.

The Two-Year-Old Maiden (18:15, Class 4, 6f 12y)

Fifteen two-year-olds, none of whom have ever raced before. This is the most gloriously unpredictable race you'll ever try to analyse, and I say that with affection. It's like asking fifteen people who've never driven a car to enter a race — anything could happen, and usually does.

That said, the market will tell a story in the hour before this race, so watch the boards carefully. Stoney Wood, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by the brilliant Oisin Murphy, is the one most punters will gravitate towards — and with good reason. Murphy doesn't take rides on two-year-old debutants unless he thinks there's something there. Flann Sunna from the Simon and Ed Crisford operation with Jack Mitchell aboard is another to note — that's a powerful combination that tends to have their juveniles ready first time out.

The Good to Firm ground will suit the sharper, more precocious types tonight. Horses bred for speed will have an advantage over those who'll want more time and softer conditions to show their best.

Evening Closer: The 20:50 Handicap (Class 6, 1m 31y)

We'll finish the evening with an eleven-runner Class 6 mile handicap for three-year-olds, and it's a competitive little puzzle to end on. Roserunner, trained by Marco Botti and ridden by Marco Ghiani, carries course form [D] and is joint top-rated at 60. Botti and Ghiani have a good working relationship and this horse clearly handles the track. On Good to Firm ground over a mile, he should be travelling well into the home straight.

Feisty Minx from Amanda Perrett's yard, with Kieran Shoemark in the saddle, is another who catches the eye — Shoemark is a jockey who rides Wincanton well and Perrett's three-year-olds tend to improve markedly as the season progresses.

Roger's Best Bets — Ones to Watch Tonight

  • Bassenthwaite (19:17) — Top-rated, course and distance form, Clive Cox yard firing. Main selection of the evening.
  • Glamorous Breeze (19:17) — Each-way option in the feature, loves this track and handles the quick ground. Each-way value.
  • Lahina Bay (17:45) — Course and distance winner in the apprentice opener, experienced enough to handle a green rider. Solid each-way in the opener.
  • Stoney Wood (18:15) — Oisin Murphy taking the ride on a Michael Bell debutant is never a coincidence. Watch the market.
  • Roserunner (20:50) — Course form, good jockey booking, and should stay the mile well on fast ground. Solid each-way to close the night.

Whatever you're backing tonight, I hope the Somerset air is kind to you and the photo finishes go your way. Enjoy the evening — Dad would have approved.