The race programme will be available on Racing Admin shortly and we are grateful to the racecourse and HBLB for their support in adding this fixture in.

We continue to work with racecourses and participants to assess the race programme and add in appropriate opportunities wherever possible.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these changes please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via聽racing@britishhorseracing.com.

This follows a trial in early 2026, where selected mid-winter floodlit fixtures finished at 8pm rather than 8:30pm, as is normally the case.

The feedback from participants, officials and others servicing these fixtures was that the slightly earlier finish was beneficial.

With the support of the floodlit racecourses, it has therefore been agreed that 18 floodlit fixtures scheduled to take place between the beginning of the year and the first week of March 2027 will finish at, or very shortly before, 8pm.

With a view to reducing any financial losses linked to the impact of earlier finishes on betting turnover, the dates that have been agreed for 2027 align with midweek Premier League and Champions League football matches, scheduled to take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

This approach will mean that the evening鈥檚 racing has finished before kick-off at these high-profile football matches. The full list of fixtures that will conclude by 8pm are as follows:

January

• Monday 4th Wolverhampton, Tuesday 5th Wolverhampton, Wednesday 6th Kempton
• Monday 18th Wolverhampton, Tuesday 19th Southwell, Wednesday 20th Kempton
• Monday 25th Newcastle, Wednesday 27th Kempton

February

• Monday 1st Wolverhampton
• Tuesday 9th Wolverhampton, Wednesday 10th Kempton
• Tuesday 16th Wolverhampton, Wednesday 17th Kempton
• Monday 22nd Newcastle, Tuesday 23rd Wolverhampton, Wednesday 24th Newcastle

March

• Tuesday 2nd Newcastle, Wednesday 3rd Kempton

We are grateful for the efforts of all concerned in delivering floodlit racing during the winter period, and indeed throughout the year.

This helps ensure that racing can take place at times of the day that, in recent years, have proved increasingly popular with bettors in particular.

In addition, as per the new policy recently announced, it has been determined that the Beginners’ Chase on Carlise’s card will be cancelled. This follows an inspection of the course, which has confirmed that the ground on the chase track is unlikely to attract significant runners for a race of this type.

This had been provisionally accounted for when adding the additional fixture at Perth on Thursday 15 October, where a two-mile Beginners’ Chase was included. Participants should therefore note that this race closes for entry on Friday 9 October.

The BHA has also explored options to replace the Kempton fixture, as well as the one that had been due to take place at Fakenham on Friday 16 October but this has unfortunately not been possible. We continue to explore all options to support the delivery of the Jump race programme and will have further updates in due course.

The analysis provided today issues a stark warning to the Government of the potential impact on British racing of further increasing taxes on betting in the Budget.

The Regulus Partners鈥� report reveals that racing would lose 拢92 million a year – a third of its income from betting – if Machine Games Duty were doubled to 40%. 

This would have devastating consequences for British racing, hitting prize money, Levy funding and our ability to continue investing in our world-leading equine welfare and veterinary research projects. We understand the Chancellor will face some very difficult economic decisions in the Budget. 

But far from raising tax revenues, as advocates of this policy proposal claim, the scale of betting shop closures forecast by this modelling means the Treasury risks putting thousands of people out of work while receiving almost a third less in taxation. 

We strongly urge the Government to seriously consider the secondary impact on horseracing of a tax hike on betting shops, and also urgently explore measures to ensure that British racing 鈥� and the 85,000 jobs it supports 鈥� is put on a long-term and sustainable financial footing. Greg Swift, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

A 拢2.2 million increase in prize money funding for 2027 has been approved by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), a boost the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) estimates will deliver a 拢3 million increase to prize money and associated bonuses.

The increases in prize money funding for next year follows the publication of the 2027 fixture list earlier this month and has been agreed as part of British racing鈥檚 strategy to stabilise and, ultimately, reverse the declining number of horses in training by making breeding, owning and racing horses in Britain as attractive as possible.

READ MORE: How was the 2027 fixture list developed and why?

The HBLB鈥檚 approval of this funding will deliver further increases in the value of developmental races in both codes, a doubling of support for the Elite Midsummer Group 1 scheme and an extension of the Great British Bonus to include male horses competing over Jumps.

Developmental races

Approximately 20 per cent of the race programme is made up of developmental races, which provide platforms for all horses to progress into handicaps or Black Type contests. Ensuring that prize money levels for these races remain competitive when compared to our closest international competitors is important as we seek to encourage the breeding and ownership of horses in Britain, including by offering significantly increased prize money in the early stages of horses鈥� careers.

A 拢2.5 million investment in these races was delivered in 2026 and to ensure they continue to be attractive to prospective owners, 拢1,000 will be added to the minimum values of all developmental races staged in Britain in 2027.

Class 1 Jumps races

Most Grade 2 and Grade 3 Jumps races will see their minimum values increase in 2027 as the sport seeks to ensure our races offer prize money that appeals to the owners of talented horses.

Staging competitive and compelling racing at the highest levels over Jumps drives interest in our sport and carries significant potential to engage new and existing fans, in turn growing the sport鈥檚 reach.

This further investment is designed to encourage owners to place their best Jumpers in the care of British trainers and to race them in Britain. Increasing the minimum values of Grade 2 races can also help to provide an aspirational, meritocratic structure to incentivise runners, while boosting Grade 3s allows them to stand out from the rest of the programme.

Elsewhere in Jumping, the recently introduced Training Fees Credit Scheme will return for 2027.

Elite Midsummer Group 1 scheme

Introduced in 2026, the Elite Midsummer Group 1 Scheme aims to increase the appeal of our sport to new and existing fans by showcasing four of our most prestigious races over a range of distances at a time of year when Britain is well placed to attract top-class horses from around the world to compete.

A joint initiative between the HBLB and the host racecourses, this scheme is focussed on the July Cup, the Sussex Stakes, the International and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (due to be contested for 拢2.5 million in 2027) and demonstrated encouraging signs in 2026.

This stimulus from HBLB was rewarded over and above match-funding in the case of three of the four races. As a result, the quality, competitiveness and field-size metrics were positive for all four races in 2026. More pertinently for the broader intent of the scheme, they tempted unprecedented net international participation 鈥� generating enhanced media interest and a summer of ongoing fan excitement, both domestically and worldwide.

To build on this positive start, in 2027 an additional 拢100,000 per race will again be offered on a match-funded basis, provided the host racecourses increase their total prize fund via their Executive Contributions and/or sponsorship by the same amount. This will result in each total prize fund increasing by a minimum of 拢200,000.

The broader intent of this scheme is to demonstrate the holistic worth of investment in our best races to all racecourses and the sport as a whole.

Great British Bonus extension

Given the lengthy timescales involved and the competition from overseas, the Great British Bonus (GBB) scheme will be extended to include Jump geldings from 2027. The primary aim of this initiative is to boost demand from owners for British-bred Jumps males, thereby supporting National Hunt breeders in Britain.

All races currently covered by GBB, with the exception of Class 3 and 4 Handicaps and Bumpers, will be included in the scheme and will offer bonuses to any 100 per cent British-bred Jumps geldings or entires 鈥� specifically, a horse by a British-based stallion, foaled in Britain and registered with a GB suffix.

Bonuses for such horses will be 50 per cent of the equivalent filly or mare bonus, at a maximum of 拢10,000 per race for qualifying geldings. This value has been agreed to ensure the primacy of the existing GBB scheme for 100 per cent GB-bred fillies and mares.

The TBA will provide further details about how backdated registrations from the foal crops of 2024 and 2025 will be permitted.

Support for lower and middle tiers

The majority of owners campaign horses in the mid- to lower-tier of our race programme and while much emphasis is rightly placed on increasing the number of top-class horses bred and raced in Britain, it is recognised that owners across the programme are seeing their costs increase and that there needs to be support at every level.

To this end, minimum values for Class 4 to 6 races on the Flat and Class 3 to 5 over Jumps will increase in 2027, representing a further investment in this area of the race programme of more than 拢500,000.

Richard Wayman, BHA Director of Racing, said: 鈥淏ritish racing has a clear strategy for the coming years to stabilise and, ultimately, grow the number of horses being bred, trained and raced in Britain.

鈥淚 am delighted, therefore, to be able to announce details of a 拢2.2 million increase in prize money funding for 2027 which we believe will translate into an extra 拢3m in prize money and similar payments. We are very grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for approving this further investment in the race programme at this especially important time for the sport.

鈥淚ncreases in the value of developmental races, of Grade 2 and Grade 3 Jumps races and of middle to lower tier races, and expanding the Great British Bonus scheme, are tangible steps that will build on the work of recent years and make an immediate difference to participants, support racing businesses and help us attract more people to breed, own and race horses here in Britain.

鈥淔urther strengthening the Elite Midsummer Group 1 Scheme will also aid with the sport鈥檚 growth strategy, helping to make four of our flagship races at a key time of the year as attractive as possible to domestic and overseas competitors as we seek to grow interest in racing.

鈥淎ll of this builds on the package of investment announced in 2026, with the Training Fees Credit Scheme, GB Pointing Bonus and Elite NH Mares Scheme having all shown early signs of promise and will continue in 2027.鈥�

Notes to editors:

1. The 2027 fixture list can be viewed here.
2. Richard Wayman’s blog on fixture list policy can be read here.
3. Details of existing initiatives announced in 2026 can be found .

• Two additional fixtures are being added on Thursday 15 October, at Fontwell and Perth; Exeter on the same day is being abandoned.聽
• Wincanton on Sunday 25聽October will be transferred to Market Rasen

Further updates will continue to follow as soon as the BHA is able to confirm plans regarding upcoming fixtures, including Kempton Park’s fixture on Sunday 18聽October which is currently under review.

The BHA is grateful to the racecourses involved, HBLB for their prize money support and all participants for their patience and understanding.

Tom Byrne, BHA Head of Racing and Betting, said:

鈥淭he challenges facing Jump racecourses and participants continue聽with limited rain falling across the country. We have taken the opportunity to replace Exeter with a fixture at Fontwell Park, as well as adding an extra fixture into the programme at Perth to make use of their track following their summer season. We expect both tracks to be able to offer ground on the easier side of good.

“We continue to work with racecourses to support the delivery of the jumping programme, however as we enter October with still no significant rain in the forecast, we expect that challenge to get harder before it gets easier. We will continue to show flexibility where necessary and will announce further plans as soon as we are able to.”

Andrew Morris, Racing and Industry Relations Director at The Jockey Club, said:

鈥淲e know that sustained periods of hot weather and limited rainfall have presented significant challenges for racecourses this summer. Unfortunately, these conditions, combined with limited watering capacity at Wincanton and Exeter, have meant that we have had to cancel their opening fixtures of the season. This is understandably disappointing for the teams involved, but our priority will always be to ensure that we provide safe and optimal ground conditions for racing.

鈥淲e will always look to reschedule races or fixtures where possible, and we are pleased that Market Rasen has been able to accommodate the Wincanton card in full. Working closely with the BHA, we will continue to monitor conditions and the latest forecasts and keep everyone updated on future fixtures.鈥�

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these聽changes please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via聽racing@britishhorseracing.com.

鈥淚 am a lifelong racing fan and it is an honour and privilege to be today taking the role of Chair of the sport鈥檚 governing body.

鈥淏ritish racing is a wonderful sport. Many of the world鈥檚 best horses, jockeys, trainers, staff, courses, festivals and races are all here. British bloodstock is globally renowned, and we are fortunate to be home to some of the most successful and committed owners and breeders.

鈥淗aving seen six consecutive quarters of attendance growth it is clear that racing retains its popularity and its well-established place in the British public鈥檚 collective conscience. The foundations exist on which to strengthen our position as a national institution and as a world leader in racing and sport.

鈥淢y long-term priority is growth for British racing. This needs to feature the right mix of attracting new fans and retaining our existing ones, attracting domestic and international viewing and betting audiences, continuing the rise in racecourse attendances, and incentivising racehorse breeding and ownership and attracting investment into the industry.

鈥淎ll of this must be underpinned by the highest quality of horse and human welfare and world-class integrity and regulation, so that participants, investors and the public can be confident in our standards.

鈥淢y short-term priority is to shift the focus away from internal-facing negotiations and towards how we present our sport to our audiences in the best, most compelling way possible.

鈥淭o do that we have some immediate matters that need attention, which include the sport鈥檚 governance, the delivery of a unifying vision and strategy, defending and improving how the sport is funded.

鈥淚 will work on all these issues with colleagues across the sport, but I am also aware of the need and desire for clear, decisive leadership from the BHA, and this is what I intend to provide.

鈥淚t is no secret that the sport faces challenges. The foal crop, betting, ownership and revenue streams are all areas under pressure.

鈥淗owever, my view is simple: British racing should be focusing our efforts on growth, not just managing decline. Our standing in the pantheon of sporting heritage, our contribution to the economy, our importance to communities nationwide and the important part we play in maintaining the role of the horse in British society all demand it鈥�.

鈥� Simon spoke to for the first time on 27 July, following the announcement that he would be the new Chair of the BHA. He told host Nick Lightfoot about his passion for racing, his previous career experience and how nothing could ever keep him away from the Cheltenham Festival.

There are two changes to the starting procedures being implemented from this date:

1. The introduction of a visible 鈥渟tart area鈥� designated by a new set of marker poles up to 40 yards back from the existing marker poles.

Races will only be allowed to start when the front rank of the field has entered the designated start area.

The objective of this is that riders will have certainty that the race will not be started in advance of this area and have certainty that their horse must be moving at walking pace within this area.

2. The wording within the rules as to the maximum pace at which a horse can approach the tapes has changed from “walk or jig-jog” to 鈥渨alking pace鈥�.

罢丑别听front rank of the field must approach the tape at no faster than a walking pace, not at a 鈥榡ig-jog鈥� as has previously been the case.

This has the objective of ensuring fewer false starts as it provides greater consistency in the starting process. Also, for instance, if the field is approaching no faster than a walking pace but a horse is cantering on the spot, the starter has discretion to let the race begin.

As per the current rules any horse who has fallen聽behind the field may be permitted to trot to catch up if required, until they have caught up with the field.

More details about the new procedures and how they will work can be found .

An explanatory video can be found or by clicking on the link below.

The new procedures will be introduced on an initial trial basis for a period of six to eight weeks. During this period, if a rider were to breach any of the new rules then they will be informed of this by stewards but not given a penalty. However should any of the existing start rules be breached then penalties will still apply.

During the trial period the BHA will continue to engage with riders and should any further adjustments be required then they will be considered prior to formal implementation of the rules and procedures. There is also the possibility to extent the trial period if necessary.

The new procedures are the result of extensive engagement with the PJA, jockeys, trainers and BHA officials. In July, a series of recommendations were published following a consultation process.

Subsequently those recommendations were discussed further with participants and a new starting procedure for jump races agreed. Jockeys who participated in the process included the likes of Keith Donoghue, Liam Harrison, Jack Kennedy, Danny Mullins, Sean Quinlan,聽Gavin Sheehan,聽Harry Skelton, Mark Walsh and聽Tabitha Worsley among others, and we are grateful for the part played by everyone involved in this process.

Cathy O鈥橫eara, Head of Raceday Officials for the BHA, said:

鈥淚 would like to express our thanks to all of those who have given their time throughout this project, in particular to the jockeys who have willingly shared their time and expertise and helped us shape these new procedures.

鈥淲e are hopeful that the new procedures will create greater certainty for jockeys and the viewing public and reduce the number of false starts, especially at major fixtures where the issue is much more acute.

鈥淲e鈥檒l monitor how it works through the trial period and will work with jockeys, trainers and officials to determine whether any adjustments are necessary.鈥�

Dale Gibson, Executive Director (Racing) for the PJA, added:

鈥淎 smooth and fair start for all horses is important for everyone 鈥� jockeys, trainers, owners, racing staff and those betting on the sport 鈥� and the PJA and our members were keen and active participants in the review.聽 We therefore welcome the outcome and recommendations, many of which were proposed by senior riders and our safety officers.聽聽 With relatively few valuable, large-field races throughout the year, the changes cannot guarantee there will never be false or aborted starts.聽 But we believe the changes will lead to an improved process and make them less likely in general and less frequent overall.

鈥淲e will continue to work closely with our members and the BHA on the remaining areas for consultation during the initial trial period once the amended procedures commence.鈥�

The three other recommendations which were published in July remain in development, including:

• Changes to the track layout at Cheltenham racecourse鈥檚 two most problematic starting points (2 mile and 2 1/2 mile): This work is nearing completion. These two starts are not used in the same way during the October William Hill Showcase meeting but revised layouts will be in place for the November meeting.
• Implement a tiered penalty increase specifically targeting Class 1 and Class 2 races across all courses: A consultation regarding the penalty changes remains ongoing with a view to implementation in Q1 2027.
• Explore the introduction of a live audio recording system at the start area to capture communications and instructions given by starters to jockeys, with a direct feed to the stewards’ room: Scoping of technology and consideration of processes ongoing, with a view to implementation ahead of 2027 Cheltenham Festival.

Notes to Editors

1. More detail about the new procedures can be found .
2. The percentage of races resulting in an aborted start at the Cheltenham Festival had increased annually over the last five years from around 18% in 2022 to nearly 40% in 2026. This is in contrast to wider jump racing where the rate has fluctuated between around 3% 鈥� 4% of starts over the same period.
3. Groups who participated in the consultation include:

• BHA officials and Racing Department
• Cheltenham racecourse
• Horserace Bettors Forum (HBF)
• Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB)
• Irish Jockeys Association (IJA) and Irish jockeys
• ITV and RTV broadcasters
• National Trainers Federations (NTF) and trainers
• Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and jockeys

罢丑别听聽to the Jump Pattern are predominantly in relation to the Class 1 Premier Handicap programme, which follows a review of these races by the Jump Pattern Committee (JPC).

The JPC assessed the Premier Handicap programme with a view to refining and strengthening the races to ensure they are as competitive and appealing to racing鈥檚 customers as possible.

As a result, seven races have been upgraded to Premier Handicaps, including the Silver Trophy Hurdle at Chepstow in October and the Hurst Park Steeple Chase at Ascot in November.

To increase familiarity and engagement with the Jump Pattern, and in particular Premier Handicaps, a new rule has been introduced requiring all Jump Pattern races to have a permanent race handle for ease of identification 鈥� a requirement previously limited to Grade 1, Grade 2 and Listed races only. Background information on some of the new race handles and why they have been chosen can be found聽.

A further change to Premier Handicaps this season will see all races switch to an early closing system. Previously this was only the case for around half of all Premier Handicaps.

Among other changes to the Jump Pattern, two Mares鈥� Steeple Chases have been upgraded to Grade 2 level: the Yorkshire Silver Vase at Doncaster in December and the Fair Maid of Perth in April, while the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle will move permanently from Wincanton to Aintree in November and be renamed the Molyneux.

The full list of changes can be found聽聽or at the bottom of this press release.

Chasing Excellence Novices鈥� and Beginners鈥� Chases

As Chasing Excellence Novices鈥� and Beginners鈥� Chases return to the race programme this autumn, the BHA now retains the flexibility to remove or reschedule individual races where it considers that the forecast ground conditions are unlikely to support sufficient runner numbers.

Where a race is removed from its original fixture, this decision will be announced at least ten days before the scheduled date. Subject to the availability of other suitable opportunities, the race may or may not subsequently be rescheduled at an alternative fixture.

This approach recognises that, on occasions last season, Chasing Excellence races were staged on ground that resulted in walkovers and matches, providing limited benefit for participants and offering little value to customers.
While that can never be fully protected against, particularly given the variability of the weather, the policy is designed to protect the wider position of these races within the programme, while introducing greater flexibility over when and where they are staged.

This supports the sport鈥檚 wider ambition of developing a more sustainable and competitive programme for Novice Chasers, ensuring these races are more likely to be run under conditions that encourage meaningful participation.

Changes to the 2026/27 Jump Pattern

Races upgraded to the Premier Handicap programme

• Silver Trophy聽Handicap Hurdle (2m 3.5f) at Chepstow (10 October 2026)
• Hurst Park聽Steeple Chase (2m) at Ascot (21 November 2026)
• Lanzarote聽Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f) at Kempton Park (9 January 2027)
• Morebattle聽Handicap Hurdle (2m) at Kelso (6 March 2027)
• Imperial Cup聽Handicap Hurdle (2m) at Sandown Park (13 March 2027)
• Tradesmen鈥檚 Plate聽鈥� new 2m 4f Premier Handicap hurdle race at Kelso (Sun 6 December 2026)
• Wolsey聽鈥� new 2m Premier Handicap steeple chase at Sandown Park (6 February 2027)

Other upgrades

• Mares鈥� novices鈥� hurdle (2m) at Windsor鈥檚 Winter Millions fixture (24 January 2027) upgraded to Listed status and named the 鈥�Round Tower鈥�.
• Grade 2 upgrade for both the聽Yorkshire Silver Vase聽Mares鈥� Steeple Chase (2m 4.5f) at Doncaster (29 December 2026) and the聽Fair Maid of Perth聽Mares鈥� Steeple Chase (3m) at Perth (21 April 2027).

Downgrades and adjustments

• Ascot鈥檚 2m Premier Handicap steeple chase (31 October 2026) downgraded to Class 2 (to facilitate the upgrade of the Hurst Park).
• Scottish Champion Hurdle聽(2m) at Ayr (17 April 2027) to be converted from a limited handicap Grade 2 to a full weight range Premier Handicap.

Venue change

• Grade 2聽Elite Hurdle聽(2m) to move permanently from Wincanton racecourse to Aintree (7 Nov 2026) and renamed the 鈥�惭辞濒测苍别耻虫鈥�.

Jump Pattern Committee Quality Control

• Introduction of an average field size metric as part of Jump Pattern Committee鈥檚 annual quality control for Premier Handicap races. Premier Handicaps are required to achieve 3-year average declarations of聽10 in steeple chases听补苍诲听12 over hurdles, else face possible downgrade.
• Revised ratings parameter for Premier Handicap Hurdle races (135) as part of Jump Pattern Committee鈥檚 annual quality control.

Other changes

• All Jump Pattern and Listed races are to include a permanent word to establish the continuity of the race (the 鈥榬ace handle鈥�). This requirement was previously limited to Grade 1, Grade 2 and Listed races only.
• From this season all remaining standard closing Premier Handicaps will switch to an early closing system.
• Adjustments to the penalty structures for Grade 2 weight-for-age races. Non-novice Grade 2 races will no longer penalise recent Premier Handicap/Listed weight-for-age winners, which will hopefully make these races more appealing options for connections with horses looking to step up in grade. The equivalent novice penalty structures in Grade 2 and Listed races have been altered to fit in line with the new non-novice structures, but using 3lb and 5lb amounts as before.

• An additional fixture will be staged at Worcester on Wednesday 7 October, replacing Ludlow鈥檚 abandoned fixture on the same day
• The Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, and Hereford on Tuesday 13 October, will become all-Hurdle cards
• Worcester on Monday 12 October and Ffos Las on Wednesday 14 October will become all-Chase cards.

The fixture at Ludlow has been abandoned because the track remains unraceable following sustained dry weather since the end of last season.

At Chepstow, time has likewise run out for the chase course and it has been agreed with the BHA Course Inspectorate that it will not be in a raceable condition for the Welsh Racing Festival.

Therefore, the chase races are being transferred to Worcester and Ffos Las, where more appropriate chasing ground can be presented. The hurdle races originally programmed at these fixtures have been moved to Chepstow and Hereford.

A small number of amendments have been made to individual races to deliver the most appropriate programme, with full details available on Racing Admin shortly.

Tom Byrne, BHA Head of Racing and Betting, said:

“We appreciate that these are significant changes to the race programme at this stage of the season. However, we hope that as a package they will allow the sport to deliver an appropriate jumping programme over the coming weeks.

鈥淥ur intention is to ensure that racing over both hurdles and fences takes place on the best ground available, and we are grateful to Ludlow and ARC for their support in enabling these interventions. We also hope they are welcomed in the circumstances by participants, and we thank them for their ongoing support.

鈥淔urther updates are likely to follow on a weekly basis from this point as we continue to work proactively with racecourses and participants to provide the best jumping ground possible amidst the ongoing challenges presented by the lack of rain across the country.鈥�

Simon Sherwood, Chief Executive of Ludlow Racecourse, said:

“Given the current climate, we have spent the past few weeks hoping for significant rainfall. Unfortunately we are now at a point where we cannot delay the decision any further. Additional watering would not have sufficiently addressed the conditions, and we have taken expert advice from agronomists throughout the process.

鈥淭his is not the decision we wanted to take for our first fixture of the season, but I am sure everyone will understand the challenges we face following such a prolonged period of dry weather.”

Ben Cook, ARC Racing Director, said:

“We are obviously disappointed to have to make these changes to the DragonBet Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow, but we wanted to make and announce the decision as early as possible.

“The racecourse team have been working incredibly hard over the course of the summer, and into the autumn, to get both of Chepstow’s jumps tracks ready for this meeting. We have simply been beaten by the weather, as far as the chase course is concerned.

“Chepstow received 63mm of rain in late August, which made a significant positive impact on the track, alongside the irrigation that the team have been undertaking. The track has received only 43mm of rain in September however, with none in the last ten days. This has stalled that progress and meant that the chase course will simply not have sufficient ease in the ground.

“We are grateful to colleagues at BHA for their assistance in reprogramming this fixture, and the surrounding fixtures at Worcester and Ffos Las. Equally, we are incredibly grateful to participants, customers, ITV and all of our sponsors, including DragonBet, for their understanding of this difficult situation. We very much look forward to hosting the meeting and to celebrate the stars of jump racing in Wales.”

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these聽changes please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via聽racing@britishhorseracing.com.