'Any turf track bringing jump racing back has to be a positive' - spirits high as Windsor ends near two-decade hiatus

The excitement before racing at Windsor on Sunday was palpable as the track welcomed back jump racing after an absence of almost two decades.

The Thameside venue staged meetings under both codes until 1998, although the Arena Racing Company-owned course did host some of Ascot's fixtures in 2004 and 2005 while the royal racecourse was redeveloped.

Wiltshire-based trained Emma Lavelle won the opening 2m4f novice hurdle with Ma Shantou and hailed the decision to bring jumping back for the first time since December 2005.

Ma Shantou (right) wins the first jumps race held at Windsor since December 2005 on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

She said: "Having had quite a few runners on the Flat here throughout the summer, it's funny coming back here in the winter. It's a different crowd and different scene, but it's lovely.

"There are a lot of people waiting to see how it will all go, how the configuration of the track works, but it's great to be back. For jump racing as a whole, any turf track bringing jump racing back has to be a positive as there's always a fear of losing it."

This is the first of three jumps fixtures at the track this season, with days one and three of the Berkshire Winter Million taking place at Windsor on January 17 and 19.

Lavelle added: "I love the concept of the Berkshire Winter Million, so it's important we get this on and see how it all works. It was busy coming into the track, so hopefully it brings a different person to the sport on a Sunday in the middle of winter."

Emma Lavelle: "It's a different crowd and different scene, but it's lovely"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Dual-purpose trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis, who is based a little under 50 miles away in Lambourn, echoed Lavelle's thoughts.

He said: "It's fantastic to be back and I'm all for courses trying stuff like this. Jumping was always good here and it's handy for us to get to. We'll see how the bends ride, but it's a nice, flat, galloping track and people always like coming here.

"I'm encouraged by it and there's a good crowd here, and probably a better one than at any of the Monday evening meetings we've had this summer."

A bumper crowd was indeed anticipated and Trevor Bunting and John Wyatt, who are from High Wycombe, were delighted to see the return of jump racing.

Bunting said: "I've been to Windsor quite a lot, but I've never been jumping here. We either come here or Ascot – we love our racing – and it's great news." 

Wyatt added: "I've been here many times, but I do prefer the jumps. There are some big trainers on the card, so they must think it's a decent meeting. In the future it hopefully might bring more people here."

Racegoer Kev J, from south-east London, said: “I’m here with five friends but it’s my first time here. I go racing quite a bit, but I’m impressed with the set-up. It’s been about 20 years since we had jumps at Windsor and it’s near Christmas time, so it’s great.

"As long as we can find ways of getting people to come racing then it’s a good thing. There needs to be enough things going on that can keep your whole group happy.”

Read these next:

Harry Cobden fights off Nico de Boinville as Ma Shantou causes upset to become Windsor's first jumps winner in 19 years  

From top hurdler Bula to a Grand National winner: the star horses who have been successful at Windsor over jumps 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.