Pistol Desbois ridden by Giles Hawkins - RACE 2 - 14:30 Exeter - Hillfieldcottages.com Handicap Hurdle Winner £5,000 - (2m 7f 110y) Grade 4 - PHOTO mandatory by-line: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle - Photo Agency UK Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - VAT Reg No: 768 6958 48 - 03/02/2010 - EQUESTRIAN - HORSE RACING - Exeter Racecourse, Haldon, Devon

To celebrate the return of racing to Wincanton on Thursday, October 18, after its annual four-month break, racegoers will be treated to a parade of racehorses, featuring some of the stars from the West Country.

Among those set to parade are Hunt Ball, trained by Keiran Burke, who culminated a resounding season with a win at this year’s Cheltenham Festival in the Putney Land Investments Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Hunt Ball will always hold a fond place in the memories of Wincanton racegoers after his owner Anthony Knott famously jumped on his back and rode him into the paddock with jockey Nick Scholfield following his win in the Bathwick Tyres Dorchester Handicap Chase in January.

Other big names to parade include the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Buck’s, who is undefeated in 17 runs and has won more than £1.25m in price money. Horses from the yards of David Pipe, Colin Tizzard, Anthony Honeyball, Seamus Mullins and Philip Hobbs will join him.

The parade takes place between 12.45pm and 1.45pm with the first of six races underway at 2.20pm.

Wincanton’s General Manager Steve Partlett says: “It’s a terrific way to start off our new season and we are looking forward to welcoming back everyone to Wincanton. The team has been working hard over the summer with several improvements both to our facilities and on the track.”

Wincanton is offering £5 off all advance tickets purchased before October ***. To book call the hotline 0844 579 3014 or visit www.wincantonracecourse.co.uk and enter the code ****. Tickets on the day start from £14.