Leicester gets rare slot on the box with two races on ITV Racing

Jump racing at Leicester will get a rare outing on ITV Racing on Saturday as two races complement the action at Newbury and Lingfield.

The Leicestershire Silver Fox Handicap Chase (2.40) and Leicestershire Bronze Fox Handicap Hurdle (3.15) form part of seven races on ITV4, thought to be the first time in 40 years that jumping from the course has been aired by the broadcaster.

ITV Racing's Richard Willoughby said: "From our archives it would appear that ITV last showed a race from Leicester over jumps back in 1979, and almost 40 years to the day. The race was the Gallowtree Novices' Chase and was won by a horse called China Cottage, ridden by Jim Wilson."

The dual-purpose track's feature Flat race in April, the Listed King Richard III Stakes, has been screened terrestrially alongside bet365 Gold Cup day at Sandown in recent times and course officials are grateful for the exposure, particularly having lost four fixtures in a row during the wet autumn.

Clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "It's fallen nicely this year on a Saturday and we're very happy as there should be a decent crowd.

"The field sizes are good, and although the ground will be testing, particularly on the hurdles course, it's in decent condition with a lovely covering of grass on it."

Richard Hobson: in-form trainer saddles Eureu Du Boulay in the feature Silver Fox Handicap ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Both races have attracted nine-strong fields with Eureu Du Boulay, a wide-margin winner over hurdles at Fontainebleau last month, heading the weights for the feature £21,213 Silver Fox Handicap Chase.

Trainer Richard Hobson, who has won with three of his four runners in Britain this month, said: "He's in great order – in better nick than he was going to the race in France – and I think he'll run a big race. I'm concerned about his 13lb hike in the handicap but the ground and trip are ideal."

Little Rory Mac makes his first start since his controversial victory at Market Rasen this month in the £15,800 Bronze Fox Handicap Hurdle.

After falling foul of the non-trier rules on his previous start at Warwick, a race when "everything went wrong" according to trainer Henry Oliver, Little Rory Mac landed a hefty punt at Market Rasen for owner Adam McCormack, who sparked uproar on Twitter with his posts before and after the seven-length success.

The consistent Masters Apprentice also comes into the race after a seven-length win, in his case at Sedgefield 22 days ago.

Mark Walford, another in-form trainer with three wins this month, said: "He has surprised us a little as he's a lot better than we thought he'd be. He's come off the Flat, so the ground would be a worry, but it's great prize-money and he'll have a little squeak."

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