South switch turf races

Monday’s meeting at Southwell will now be run solely on the all-weather after the five scheduled races on the turf were abandoned due to the prospect of heavy ground.

The track was to hold a mixed meeting with races on both surfaces but the British Horseracing Board, in conjunction with the Jockey Club, have taken the decision to replace the turf races with identical contests on the all-weather.

Entries for the five new events will close at noon on Friday and declarations to run must be made at the 24 hour stage by 10am on Sunday.

Race times and titles remain unaltered.

“By abandoning the turf races and replacing them with identical races on the all-weather, it means the horses are able to race with their all-weather ratings, rather than racing on the all-weather with their Flat turf ratings,” said Stuart Middleton, BHB racing manager.

“We are also aware that some connections may only wish their horse to race on the turf rather than all-weather and vice versa, so returning stakes and affording people the opportunity to enter again is the fairest option.”