National Hunt programme further affected by the weather

The Jockey Club has announced the cancellation of upcoming jumps meetings at Kempton and Exeter due to the prolonged dry spell.

Kempton was due to kick off its new National Hunt season on Sunday, October 18, but the fixture has now been called off with course officials unable to achieve the safe ground conditions required for National Hunt racing.

The Listed Panoramic Hurdle has been saved, however, and will be run at Carlisle the following Thursday (October 22) with the same value of £50,000. The beginners’ chase on the Carlisle card has been cancelled following an inspection of the course, which has confirmed that the ground on the chase track is unlikely to attract significant runners for a race of its type.

As there has been no significant rainfall at Exeter in recent weeks, and with insufficient rain in the forecast, the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 has also been scratched from the programme.

The British Horseracing Authority said it had explored options to replace the Kempton fixture, as well as the one that had been due to take place at Fakenham on Friday, October 16, but this was not possible.