Runners with Cheltenham form may line up for Fontwell Park's £80,000 showpiece

The 55th National Spirit Hurdle, widely regarded as a trial for Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle, a Grade 1 National Hunt race at next month’s festival, takes place on Sunday - weather permitting.

Fontwell has played host to a number of world-class horses in the NSH, with top names including Baracouda who, having won the Fontwell feature, went on to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2002 and 2003 among many other top staying races.

The West Sussex course is unique among jump-racing venues in this country with its figure-of-eight layout.

Clerk of the course Hide had a long and distinguished career as a well-respected jump jockey with more than 400 winners.

The 47-year-old rode in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell several times and looks back on his rides at the racecourse fondly.

“Fontwell means a lot to me. It’s where I rode my first ever winner as a jockey which was such a huge moment for me,” reflected Hide.

“I’ve always enjoyed coming here - the atmosphere with people out in the middle of the course is such a unique opportunity for racegoers.

“The National Spirit Hurdle was a great opportunity to ride some top horses. It’s such a great stepping-stone for top-class horses to go on and win the best races at Cheltenham.

“The National Spirit Hurdle is all about giving horses a trial run - the course is a slight downhill run down the back straight, which is a help for Cheltenham to test your horse.

“Then there is the climb up to the winning post, which again is similar to Cheltenham with that long uphill finish. This often changes the results and at Fontwell, riders and trainers get to see if the horse is going to finish its race well.”

The National Spirit is just one of seven races taking place on Sunday and Hide, with his experience on the course and now as clerk, is uniquely placed to give an insight into what’s to be expected on the day.

“The National Spirit Hurdle is obviously the star but the day kicks off with a handicap hurdle, followed by the Josh Gifford Memorial Novice Chase,” Hide said.

“Josh was a champion apprentice on the flat, champion jockey over jumps and he trained a lot of winners, including the famous 1981 winner Aldaniti, who is definitely one of the all-time top five Grand National winners. He was local to Fontwell and is remembered very fondly.

“This weekend, we have 13 entries for the National Spirit Hurdle (ahead of final declarations). It’s definitely a classy line-up with 11 out of the 13 rated in the 150s handicap rating.

“We have last year’s winner Vision des Flos as well as Thomas Darby, who came second in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, and William Henry, who won the Coral Cup, those two races both at Cheltenham last year.

“The course at Fontwell gives racegoers the opportunity to be involved and immersed in the action, as visitors can watch from the middle of the course, right up by the fence. You can’t say that about many courses - it’s a brilliant experience.”

Gates open on Sunday at 12.30pm and the first race is off at 2.20pm. The National Spirit is at 3.20pm.

Tickets are available from just £15 in advance. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.fontwellpark.co.uk