Shantou Vou held off Exelerator Express to win for the second time in four months at a sunny but snappy Southwell Racecourse this afternoon in what looks to be the last race meet before doors close.
The 5 year old Gelding ridden by Daryl Jacob and trained by Harry Whittingham won the 2m 4f 88y Novices Hurdle to pocket £3,769 ahead of Alan King’s third placed favourite Sheshoon Sonny and second placed Exelerator ridden by Tom Scudamore.
Earlier, Bryony Frost had successive wins with Silent Steps in the first race of the day coming from behind over the last hurdle to snatch with room for error from Inch Lala before winning again with Little Light in the 14:30 1m 7f 182y MansionBet Faller Insurance Handicap Chase.
11/8 favourite Haasab ridden by JonJo O’Neill won the 3pm race and Shimba Hills at 16/1 took the Class 5 Handicap over 2m4f at 4pm before Oliver’s Island rounded things off with a win in the last.
The 8 year old Gelding trained by Sean Conway had only ran at Southwell once previously in 2019 finishing 5th with this only a second win as Liam Harrison rode home to victory.
With horse racing tracks across the country set to close tomorrow, racing is set to go behind closed doors until the end of March with one of the biggest events the Grand National hoping that crowds will be once again let in ahead of their 4th April event.
For Southwell Racecourse, events will still take place which are unfortunately closed to the public for now but racing can still be seen live on Television and through the betting channels until further notice in a bid to manage any potential spread of the Covid-19 virus by minimising contact through mass gatherings.
*Main image @Southwell_Races Daryl Jacobs & Harry Whittington awarded after winning with Shantou Flyer.
