The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) can confirm that the four Hurdle races scheduled to take place at Leicester’s fixture on Saturday 28 December have been abandoned and will be replaced by three Steeple Chases to create a six-race card.

With the Hurdles course at Leicester currently waterlogged and further rain forecast before the fixture, it is not expected to be raceable by next Saturday. Therefore, in consultation with the BHA Course Inspectorate, the decision to abandon the Hurdle races has been taken in order to give the fixture the best chance of going ahead.

The new Steeple Chase races will be available on Racing Admin today and will close for entries along with the rest of the card at 12 noon on Monday 23 December.

The Chase course is currently Soft, Heavy in places.