After further, recent rain in the region, the Steeple Chase course at Wincanton now has false patches. With the forecast giving Wincanton cause for concern, the British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) Racing Department has programmed a provisional all-Hurdle card in an effort to safeguard this fixture. Wincanton’s going on the Hurdles course is currently described as Heavy and the decision on whether to abandon the Steeple Chases and activate the all-Hurdle card will be announced by 2pm on Thursday.
The provisional all-Hurdle card consists of the four existing Hurdle races, plus three additional Hurdle race opportunities.
The three provisional Hurdle races will consist of two new races and the Jane Seymour Mares’ Listed Novices’ Hurdle race currently scheduled for Sandown on Friday, should that meeting be abandoned. This will be activated should Sandown’s meeting be abandoned before 9am on Friday. Entries and declarations for this race will not be carried over from Sandown and connections are asked to enter and declare in line with the other provisional Hurdle races at Wincanton.
In the event of Sandown’s meeting on Friday not being abandoned by 9am on Friday, the Country Gentlemen’s Association Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle will not be staged at Wincanton, and the race that attracts the highest number of declarations at Wincanton’s fixture, will divide to form a seven race card, provided that a minimum of 12 declarations is achieved.
Should this provisional all-Hurdle card be activated and no race attract 12 or more declarations, Wincanton will stage a six race card.
The three provisional races will be free to enter and close at noon on Wednesday 12 February.
Should this provisional card be activated, declarations are to be made in line with the existing Hurdle races by 10am on Friday 14 February.
A provisional, revised running order follows below:
1:20 30987 The Bathwick Tyres Salisbury Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 4)
1:55 30988 The Country Gentlemen’s Association Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Listed Race)
2:30 30984 The Bathwick Tyres Yeovil Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3)
3:05 30989 The Bathwick Tyres Bridgwater Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3)
3:35 30981 The Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 2)
4:15 30990 The Bathwick Tyres EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Race (Qualifier) (Class 3)
4:45 30986 The Bathwick Tyres Salisbury Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 4)
Full race details and conditions can be found on the BHA Racing admin site: www.racingadmin.co.uk
For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or [email protected].
