3 minute read
The British Horseracing Authority has announced two additional fixtures in Britain on Saturday as a cold snap continues to play havoc with National Hunt racing across the country.
With both of Saturday's feature meetings at Kempton and Warwick under serious threat and Wetherby forced to call their Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase card off on Wednesday afternoon, the BHA was left to take action in order to ensure National Hunt Racing would take place this weekend.
The Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase will now take place on Ffos Las' new seven-race card. Entries will close at 12pm on Thursday, with declarations to be made by 10am on Friday.
A BHA statement said: "The track at Ffos Las is currently raceable and offered the most realistic opportunity to get a jumps fixture on, with the latest forecast giving the fixture every chance of going ahead.
"While we are aware there remains an element of risk that adverse weather may result in these conditions changing, we feel it is important to put an opportunity in place to help provide jumps racing for participants and customers on Saturday afternoon."
Chelmsford will also host an additional all-weather fixture, which will include a £40,000 Class 3 contest over one mile and a £35,000 Class 3 over six furlongs, while Newcastle's programme has been moved forward to get underway at 3.50pm, approximately two hours before its scheduled start time.
A BHA statement continued: "The original running orders and race times are therefore subject to change and will be confirmed in conjunction with ITV Racing on Thursday morning, following 48-hour declarations closing and the latest going updates from racecourses."
