No decision on new date for International Hurdle

A decision is expected tomorrow on the re-scheduling of the Boylesports.com International Hurdle.

Efforts are being made to save the Grade Two contest after Cheltenham was abandoned due to waterlogging at the weekend.

The British Horseracing Authority was in talks throughout Monday with all the interested parties (sponsors, trainers individual racecourses and racecourse groups).

BHA PR manager Paul Struthers said: "We understand that delaying the announcement is not ideal but, contrary to some people's view, rescheduling races is not a simple process.

"We have spent a large amount of time and effort today co-ordinating attempts to reschedule the race to the satisfaction of the sponsor, racecourses and connections.

"As far as we were concerned, rescheduling to Cheltenham on January 24 was a non-starter, coming some seven weeks after the original date, let alone it being only a week after the Haydock Champion Hurdle Trial and the day before the Irish Champion Hurdle.

"We are now awaiting a final decision. There have been negotiations throughout the day between all parties and we hope to make a final announcement tomorrow."

An original nine-strong field had included last season's Champion Hurdle winner Katchit and Binocular, the current ante-post favourite for next March's renewal.

Katchit's trainer Alan King hopes the race takes place at Cheltenham's meeting on January 1.

"I don't want to run him at Kempton on Boxing Day (Christmas Hurdle) and if they do choose to reschedule the race, running it on New Year's Day at Cheltenham would fit into our plans. Running it there on the 24th might make it a bit tight (for the Champion Hurdle)," said King.

"There are some seriously good Champion Hurdle prospects about and at the moment, it's probably better to be splitting them up."