SOUTHWELL SWITCH

SOUTHWELL will next year replace its long-standing Fibresand with Tapeta – the surface in use at Newcastle and Wolverhampton.

Fibresand has been in place at the Nottinghamshire venue since it pioneered all-weather racing in Britain in 1989 alongside Lingfield.

Subject to fixture negotiations with the BHA, owners Arena Racing Company plan to hold floodlit racing at Southwell in 2019.

And Southwell’s £8million refurbishment will be completed when Fibresand makes way for Tapeta, which is widely used in America and Australia.

ARC Director of External Affairs Susannah Gill (left) last night told Mirror Racing that “no final decision” has been made over a new surface, but added: “Tapeta has proved a success at Wolverhampton and Newcastle. “We would welcome any feedback from trainers and jockeys.”