Record number of dates

BATH RUNS DRY FORCING SWITCH

A RECORD 1,511 meetings have been planned for

2019, with an additional three dates added to the calendar.

The split between National Hunt, Flat and all-weather racing remains in line with last year, while the number of evening fixtures has risen slightly as the BHA aims to “provide a more continuous and consistent betting product throughout the course of afternoon and evening racing”.

A trial of 15 additional floodlit meetings in the autumn with two fixtures under lights on the same evening is being planned as a test, although all floodlit fixtures between January to mid-April and September to December will have a final race time of no later than

8.30pm to help jockeys and racing staff.

There will also be breaks for Flat participants in March and November, while no meetings have been scheduled for December 23, giving an extra blank day before Christmas. THE prolonged dry weather has forced Bath to switch its meeting on August 3 to Wolverhampton.

The track, pictured, does not have a watering system due to its high location on Lansdown Hill and while Wednesday’s meeting went ahead without incident, the hard ground has prompted the change.

Paul Johnson, head of racing at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: “As the dry spell continues, we continue to monitor how the weather is affecting the fixture list in conjunction with racecourses and horsemen.

“While we are aware that fast conditions at Bath are ideal for some horses, the

NEIL RANDON continued dry spell has now led to the appearance of hard in the going description and we believe that the sport is best served by the next fixture being transferred to an alternative racecourse.

“Our thanks go to Arena Racing Company [owner of both tracks] and the Levy Board for their assistance in facilitating the transfer.”

Entries will close as previously at noon on July 28, with declarations at the 48-hour stage on August 1.

The race programme will be equivalent to the one originally

planned.