The BHA has today confirmed that the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle, due to have taken place at Ascot on Saturday 17 December, will now be staged at Kempton on Monday 26 December.
Following the abandonment of Ascot’s fixture due to freezing temperatures, all parties concerned were eager to ensure the Grade 1 contest took place, taking into account the race programme over the Christmas period and the opportunities for these horses.
Entries for what will be an £80,000 race will revert to their original stage with confirmations to be made on Tuesday 20 December, prior to declarations being taken on Friday 23 December along with the remainder of the card. The BHA is grateful to the Levy Board for their financial support and to the Jockey Club and their sponsor, Ladbrokes, for hosting the race, which will be shown live as part of ITV Racing’s coverage of the day.
Barney Clifford, Regional Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Kempton Park, said: “We are delighted to be able to play our part in helping re-schedule such an important contest, and it will add even more quality to two outstanding days of racing for the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival, we can’t wait.”
Simon Clare, PR Director for Ladbrokes, said: “It’s a great shame that Ascot’s two-day meeting has been lost to the weather, but saving the Long Walk Hurdle was the order of the day, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor such a prestigious race and add it to what is already a stellar Grade One line-up on Ladbrokes King George Day on Boxing Day.
“Adding the Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle to our King George Day card will excite racing fans everywhere, whether they are watching on TV or coming along to Kempton Park, and its presence will generate an important revenue boost to the sport as it looks like being a cracking betting race as well as adding even more star quality to one of the biggest racing days of the year.”
Notes to editors:
1. For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via [email protected].
