Dascombe eyeing valuable prize on British All-Weather Championship launch

A new era for British Racing starts on Saturday, October 26, when Wolverhampton Racecourse stages the first fixture of the exciting All-Weather Championships. The seven-race card features three Class Two handicaps, which are the first of 59 upgraded races throughout the series.

Racing gets underway with the £19,000 Ladbrokes Handicap (5.45pm, 31 entries, Mile Championship category) over seven furlongs and 32 yards, and trainer Tom Dascombe plans to be represented by Anaconda.

The lightly-raced gelding finished down the field on his first start for 10 months in a valuable seven-furlong turf handicap at Ascot on October 5, but had previously won two of his three starts on Polytrack, starting with a facile six-length maiden success at Lingfield in March, 2012.

The four-year-old son of Anabaa was just denied in a mile conditions stakes at Lingfield in December, 2012, before beating classy performer Piscean by a length and a quarter in a seven-furlong contest at Wolverhampton on January 26.

Dascombe, based near Malpas in Cheshire, said: "We were very disappointed with Anaconda's performance at Ascot. We were expecting a lot more than that, but he was rusty and things just didn't work out.

"He has had a couple of problems, which is why he hasn't run a lot, but I think he is a very nice horse with a future if we can keep him sound.

"He has won over the course and distance at Wolverhampton and has won at Lingfield, so the surface shouldn't pose any problems and we will be hoping for a much better show."

Regarding the British All-Weather Championships, Dascombe added: "I think anything that puts prize money into British racing can only be a good thing."

Anaconda could face a number of smart performers, including Group Three scorer Pastoral Player, trained by Hughie Morrison, Galician, who won a competitive seven-furlong handicap for trainer Mark Johnston at Ascot in July, and the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned pair of Gramercy and Our Jonathan.

A total of 17 entries have been received for the £19,000 32Red Handicap (6.45pm - Marathon Championship category) over just short of a mile and six furlongs, headed by 2012 Investec Derby runner Cavaleiro, smart hurdler Sadler's Risk from the stable of Mark Johnston, progressive course scorer Azrag and Aegaeus, a son of champion racemare Ouija Board.

The £14,000 32Red.com Nursery (8.15pm - Three-Year-Olds category) over five furlongs has attracted 18 entries.

The last of the seven races at Wolverhampton on Saturday is due off at 8.45pm.

Arena Racing Company (ARC) is offering FREE Grandstand admission, if arranged in advance, to mark the first day of the new British All-Weather Championships.

The easiest way to take advantage of this great free offer is to go to Wolverhampton Racecourse's website, www.wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk, with bookings having to be made by 3pm today (Wednesday, October 23).

The free ticket offer to the Grandstand Enclosure is being widely promoted and coincides with Great British Racing's national student raceday. Students, booking in advance, pay £10 and receive a bonus package which includes free Grandstand admission, a racecard, copy of the Racing Post and £12 worth of food and drink vouchers.