The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed that the two Steeple Chases scheduled to take place at Plumpton’s fixture on Sunday 21 September have been abandoned and will be replaced by a Hurdle race and National Hunt Flat race.

The decision to abandon the two Chases has been taken to allow Plumpton the opportunity concentrate their watering efforts on the Hurdle course.

The two new races will create a six-race card on the Hurdle track, for which entries will close at noon on Monday 15 September.

Marcus Waters, Clerk of the Course at Plumpton, said:

“During the summer we have reconstructed our reservoir to hold over seven times its original capacity. The construction unfortunately got held up due to delays in getting planning permission granted.

“This combined with the driest spring/summer period we have ever experienced and restricted water flow from South East Water has meant that we don’t have sufficient water to irrigate both courses for our fixture on Sunday 21 September.”