The BHA has today confirmed that the two Steeple Chases scheduled to take place at Fontwell’s fixture on Friday 16 June have been abandoned and will be replaced with an additional Hurdle race, creating a six-race all-Hurdle card with the option to divide.

The additional race, which will close for entries along with the remainder of the card at 12 noon on Saturday 10 June, is a 0-100 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over 2m 3f 49y.

Phillip Hide, Clerk of the Course at Fontwell, said: “We are grateful to the BHA for approving this switch, which will allow our team to concentrate on the oval hurdle course ahead of our final fixture of the season.

“Both the long and short-range weather forecasts indicate that we are due very little, if any rainfall, between now and racing. Given the unique layout of the two separate tracks here at Fontwell Park, this move will give the grounds team an opportunity to dedicate the time and resource we need to ably prepare the surface as best we can.

“Equally, we hope that by making this decision early we can give owners and trainers as much time as possible to consider their options regarding where to run in the coming weeks.”

Notes to editors:

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