Arena Racing Company (ARC”) and the British Horseracing Authority (“BHA”) confirm the 2017 Coral Welsh Grand National meeting will now take place on Saturday 6 January 2018.
Following 60mm of precipitation in the last 48 hours, including 40mm of rain and some snow overnight, the track at Chepstow Racecourse is waterlogged which has led to the restaging of the 2017 Coral Welsh Grand National meeting.
As part of the restaging of Wales’ premier horse race, Newcastle Racecourse’s fixture will move from Saturday 6 January to Sunday 7 January.
Coral Welsh Grand National entries will revert to all horses entered at the ‘Weights Published’ stage. All other races on the card will be re-opened and will close at noon on Monday 1 January.
ARC and ITV are currently discussing options for the Coral Welsh Grand National, and any supporting races, to be shown on ITV Racing on Saturday 6 January, alongside racing from Sandown and Wincanton.
General admission badges, and guests in hospitality, can transfer their tickets to the new date of 6 January, another date in 2018 or have a full refund. The Chepstow Racecourse office will be open today until 2pm and throughout 28 and 29 December for customers wishing to make any transfers. The office can be contacted on 01291 622 260 or at [email protected].
Phil Bell, Executive Director of Chepstow Racecourse said:
“The Coral Welsh Grand National is one of the biggest jump races of the year, and a feature of Welsh sporting calendar. For all of our customers, and our sponsor Coral, it is sad to be in this situation but the amount of rain and snow simply exceeded all expectations.
“However, while we have been defeated by the weather in the short term, the team at Chepstow is now looking forward to welcoming everyone back on Saturday 6 January for a great day of sporting action. We’d like to thank all involved, including the British Horseracing Authority, Horserace Betting Levy Board, ITV and our sponsors Coral for facilitating the change in date.”
Simon Clare, Coral PR Director said:
“It is frustrating to lose the Coral Welsh Grand National meeting to what can only be described as freak weather, but after 45 years of sponsoring this race we are well used to dealing with everything the weather Gods can throw at us. We will regroup and support the Chepstow team in rescheduling this great event on Saturday 6 January, and it will turn that day into a sensational day of racing and betting. When we were last forced to reschedule the Coral Welsh Grand National, we ended up with two Coral Welsh Grand Nationals in the Top 25 betting races of 2016, as the rescheduled race went down a storm as the feature race on that first Saturday in January.”
“All ante post bets struck with Coral on the race since the original entry stage will remain valid, and any ante post bets settled as losers at subsequent confirmation and forfeit stages will now be revived. Given the unique set of circumstances however, Coral will as an ex gratia gesture allow customers to void their ante post bets if they wish to do so due to the rescheduling of the race, and they have until midnight on 31 December to contact our customer service team and let them know. After that date all ante post bets will stand all in run or not.” added Clare.
Stu Middleton, Racing Manager for the BHA, said:
“The Coral Welsh Grand National is up there with the most important races for the region, the Christmas period and the jump season as a whole. It is for this reason that we have moved quickly to ensure that it is rescheduled. Our thanks go to ARC and Coral for accommodating the revised schedule.”
Keith Ottesen, Clerk of the Course at Chepstow Racecourse said: “With 60mm of rain in the last 48 hours, including 40mm overnight, the track was simply unraceable. While it is frustrating we are pleased to be able to work swiftly to rearrange the day. The original 75 entries for the Coral Welsh Grand National stand and entries for all other races reopen with entries now closing on 1 January. Details will be updated on the British Horseracing Authority Admin site.”
