Wetherby chases abandoned

Wetherby officials have decided to abandon the three chases scheduled for Tuesday’s meeting and will now stage an all-hurdle card together with a bumper.

Although clerk of the course James Sanderson described ground as “safe”, there were some concerns at their most recent fixture on March 15 about a lack of grass and officials have decided to err on the side of caution.

Sanderson said: “The chase course is safe, but the general consensus at our last meeting was that the ground was quicker than we would like as there is not much grass on it.

“We have decided to give the course a break and give the grass a chance to grow back.

“After being in contact with the BHA (British Horseracing Authority), we have decided to stage a two-mile novice hurdle and a two-mile-seven-furlong novice hurdle, with the bumper splitting if that was required.

“As a result we will now stage either six or seven races.”