The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) can confirm a number of changes to the Jump racing programme:

• Two additional fixtures are being added on Thursday 15 October, at Fontwell and Perth; Exeter on the same day is being abandoned. 
• Wincanton on Sunday 25 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 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:

“The challenges facing Jump racecourses and participants continue 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:

“We 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.

“We 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.”

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these changes please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via [email protected].