The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced that Ayr’s fixture on 30 April will now be a Jump fixture rather than Flat, and the 1 May Flat fixture will now be run at Newcastle.

This is due to the Flat track at Ayr not being raceable.

The new Jump race programme for 30 April, which will be a seven race card, along with details for the fixture at Newcastle on 1 May will be available via the racing admin site www2.racingadmin.co.uk in due course.

A BHA spokesperson said:

“With the Flat track at Ayr remaining unraceable for the start of the season and with a substantial number of lost Jump fixtures in the region in recent months, we have worked with the Racecourse to convert the first day of their two day fixture from Flat to Jump racing.

“The second day has been transferred to Newcastle, and our thanks go to ARC, Ayr and the Levy Board for their assistance in making the necessary changes.”

Graeme Anderson, Clerk of the Course at Ayr Racecourse, said:

“Following the abandonment of the 2017 William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, extensive drainage work was undertaken on the Flat track and the ground was subsequently reinstated and reseeded.

“However due to an exceptionally cold and wet winter and spring the anticipated growth did not materialise and as a result the track will not be fully raceable for the two day meeting on April 30 and May 1.

“As done previously a move to the hurdles track for a Flat fixture could not be considered so soon after the Coral Scottish Grand National fixture.”

Notes to editors:

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