The new cards at all three fixtures will replicate as closely as possible to the originally scheduled race programme. Full information will follow shortly on Racing Admin, but in the meantime the BHA can confirm new details for the running of the Cardinal Stakes and Chelmer Stakes.

The Cardinal Stakes will retain its date as part of the Southwell fixture on 23 April, however due to the nature of rescheduling a Conditions race such as this, it will be run for a reduced prize fund of 拢30,000.

The Listed Chelmer Stakes, originally scheduled for 30 April, will now be run at Goodwood on Saturday 2 May at its original value of 拢60,000, which is supported by ITV coverage of the race.

We are grateful to the racecourses involved and the Horserace Betting Levy Board for their contributions to prize money.

Following a low amount of rainfall in recent weeks, the decision to abandon the Steeple Chases at these fixtures has been made in agreement with the BHA Course Inspectorate to allow the Exeter and Taunton groundstaff the opportunity to concentrate all efforts, and available watering, on their Hurdle courses to ensure the fixtures have the best possible chance of going ahead.

For Exeter鈥檚 fixture on Friday, the two Steeple Chases will be replaced by a Class 5 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over 2m and a Class 4 Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f. These races will close for entries at 12 noon tomorrow, Tuesday 14 April, with declarations to be made along with the rest of the card on Wednesday 15 April.

Jason Loosemore, Clerk of the Course at Exeter, said:

鈥淲e were hopeful the rain that was forecast over the last 48hrs would materialise; however, we only received 2mm of rainfall on Friday and Saturday and with only 5mm-10mm forecast for the week, it was felt that rainfall volumes would be insufficient to make the improvement necessary to the Chase course.

鈥淲ith the current Going described as Good to Firm, Good in places, abandoning the Chase races means that all watering resources will be concentrated on the Hurdle course to ensure safe jumping ground can be produced.鈥�

The additional races for Taunton鈥檚 fixture on Wednesday 22 April will be a Class 4 Handicap Hurdle over 3m and a Class 5 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f. Entries for the fixture will close on Thursday 16 April.

Patrick Davis, Chief Executive Officer at Taunton Racecourse, said:

鈥淭his decision has been made to ensure our irrigation resources can be focussed on one course as opposed to both courses, thereby ensuring that we can produce Good ground for the meeting.

鈥淎t Taunton’s previous meeting on 9 April, 60mm of irrigation was applied across both the chase and hurdle courses, with the resulting Good ground being very well received and supported by owners, trainers and jockeys.

鈥淲e have only had 6mm of rain recorded since 14 Mach, and with a largely dry outlook ahead, the plan is to apply as much irrigation as required to ensure that similarly Good ground is produced on the hurdle course for 22 April.鈥�

This fixture has been added following the abandonment of Chelmsford City鈥檚 fixture on the same day.

Wolverhampton will be staging similar races to those originally programmed at Chelmsford City, although some distances and prize-money values differ. Full details are available on Racing Admin.

In addition, two of the races that were abandoned from Chelmsford City鈥檚 fixture on Friday 3 April have been rescheduled:

• The Class 2 Mile Series Final Handicap will be run at Southwell on 7 April聽(entries to be made by 12noon tomorrow, declarations on Sunday along with the rest of the card)
• The Class 2 6f 3yo Conditions Stakes will be run at Wolverhampton on 10 April.

Both races will have a prize fund of 拢30,000, which has been made possible following contributions from the Horseracing Betting Levy Board (HBLB) and the BHA Development Fund. With the addition of these two races, no races will be permitted to divide on either card.

The BHA is grateful to the HBLB for its contribution to the funding of prize money for these fixture changes, and to the racecourses for agreeing to host.

The Board made a preliminary decision at the weekend. In accordance with the BHA鈥檚 published criteria GMRL had the ability to make oral and written representations to the Board with legal representation.

GMRL representatives made their case to the Board on 31 March. Having considered the matter carefully and taken full account of the points raised, the Board鈥檚 position remained that it did not consider it appropriate to grant a racecourse licence for CCR to GMRL.

The reasons for this decision are confidential.

The Board鈥檚 decision means GMRL is not licensed to stage any fixtures, pending the outcome of any appeal.聽 This means that regrettably no further fixtures will be staged at CCR pending the outcome of any appeal process.聽This includes the fixtures on 2 April, 3 April and 9 April.

In accordance with the Rules of Racing, GMRL may appeal the Board鈥檚 decision to the independent Licensing Committee (Rule (B)19).聽 A request for permission to appeal must be made to the Judicial Panel Executive within 21 days of receipt of the decision being challenged (Judicial Panels Code, paragraph 105).聽 The 21-day time period starts from the date GMRL receives the written reasons.

The fixture that took place on 26 March went ahead under the old licence holder GLEL and with agreement of the administrator. However, the licence held by GLEL expired on 31 March and so future fixtures required a new licence holder to be in place.

The fixtures on 2 April and 3 April will not be rescheduled. Plans for future fixtures including 9 April will be announced in due course.

The BHA has worked tirelessly with stakeholders to deliver this week鈥檚 fixtures. It is regrettable they have been cancelled at such short notice. We recognise this will impact owners, participants – especially trainers, staff and jockeys 鈥� as well as racegoers.

Further updates as regards this situation will be provided as appropriate.

High Value Developmental Races on the Flat will continue this season, with to strengthen the British racing and breeding industry.

The novice and maiden races are run with enhanced prize money to support domestic breeding and encourage the purchase and racing of young talent in Britain.

The programme of high value races is possible thanks to the support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Darley, Juddmonte and Tattersalls, who combine with the BHA Development Fund to provide financial support for the initiative.

The first High Value Developmental race of the year will take place on Friday 3 April before the programme runs through the Flat season, concluding on Thursday 3 December. It consists of a range of races to support promising young horses, with open races each offering at least 拢40,000 and restricted races worth a minimum of 拢30,000. The total prize-money across all races is expected to exceed 拢2.8 million.

Last season, there were several notable examples of horses progressing to pattern level after running in one of the developmental races, including:

• VENETIAN SUN (IRE) 鈥� Won the 拢40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes on debut at Carlisle in May. She followed that up with success in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, before landing the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Gr 2) and Prix Morny (Gr 1). Finishing the season with a rating of 114, Venetian Sun was one of the highest-rated British-trained horses in the end-of-season European 2yo Classification.
• COPPULL (GB) 鈥� Made a winning start to his career in the Juddmonte British EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Leicester in April and finished third in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot next time out. He then won the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, after which trainer Clive Cox said the Middle Park Stakes would be his main target. He ended his season with a strong third-placed effort in that race, finishing within a length of winner Wise Approach.
• CONSENT (IRE) 鈥� Won the 拢40,000 Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newbury on 19 July before winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. During the season she also finished runner-up in the Park Hill Fillies鈥� Stakes (Gr 2) at Doncaster and in the Prix Lady O’Reilly (Gr 3) at Deauville.
• BLUE BOLT (IRE) 鈥� Began her 3yo campaign with victory in the 拢40,000 Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newbury in June. She won the Listed Coral Distaff on her next start before finishing her season with a runner-up effort to Fallen Angel in the Group 1 BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
• ZANTHOS (FR) 鈥� The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained filly made a winning debut in the Tattersalls 拢40,000 EBF “Newcomers” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes in August, before going on to score at Group 2 level in the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.

Richard Wayman, Director of Racing at the BHA, said:

鈥淲e are pleased to confirm the continuation of the High Value Developmental programme for the 2026 Flat season as part of a wider strategy that aims to see more high-quality horses bred, trained and raced in Britain.

鈥淭he High Value Developmental races are not only helping to incentivise the racing and breeding of talented horses in Britain, but we are now seeing increasing examples of the positive role they are playing in the development of young horses with graduates going on to succeed at the very highest level.

鈥淭he ongoing success of this initiative would not be possible without the sponsorship support of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls. We are also grateful to the Horseracing Betting Levy Board and our host racecourses, whose backing ensures these races continue to be run at an elevated level.鈥�

Kerry Murphy, CEO at the European Breeders’ Fund, said:

“There is no question that prizemoney is the most important factor for owners. This series of 拢30k and 拢40k races is a great example of collaboration and what can be achieved.聽 The British EBF has long supported higher value two-year-old maiden races and that this series is heading into its fourth year is a huge positive.”

Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO at Juddmonte, said:

鈥�Juddmonte is delighted to support financially again this year鈥檚 further enhancements. These high prize money developmental races directly support owners and breeders in areas that can be overlooked and thereby support our UK breeding industry.鈥�

Sam Bullard, Director of Stallions at Darley, said:

鈥淭he Darley Maiden Series is now a well-established and extremely positive programme that has successfully showcased future Group 1 winners among numerous high-quality racehorses. Darley is delighted to continue this sponsorship.

“Darley is absolutely committed to supporting breeders, either through this development series or via our contribution to the EBF. We are looking forward to the first of the Darley series at Newbury on 17 April.鈥�

Jason Singh, Marketing Director at Tattersalls, said:

鈥淭attersalls are delighted to continue our support for the High Value Developmental races as we continue to widen our support for British racing with numerous high-profile sponsorships, to complement our widely acclaimed 拢25,000 October Book 1 Bonus and the ever-popular sales races.

鈥淥ur sponsorship of the High Value Developmental races will ensure that not only is prizemoney for British Group and Listed races the best in Europe, but that there are a significant number of Maiden and Novice races whose prizemoney compares favourably with all other racing jurisdictions globally.鈥�

The Chase course is currently unraceable and, with more rain expected on Wednesday and Thursday, there is no prospect of improvement.

Therefore the decision to abandon the Steeple Chases has been made in agreement with the BHA Inspectorate to give the fixture the best possible chance of going ahead. The Going on the Hurdles course is currently Soft, Heavy in places.

Entries for the additional race will close at 12noon tomorrow (Wednesday 18 February), with declarations taking place along with the rest of the card on Friday morning.

The fixture now will consist of six races (five hurdle contests and one National Hunt Flat Race), permitted to divide to seven.

The race, which was lost from Exeter鈥檚 card on Sunday 8 February, will open for entries tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February), with declarations to be made by 10am on Thursday 12 February.

The BHA is grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for its contribution to the funding of prize money for the rescheduled Agatha Christie Mares鈥� Novices鈥� Chase, and to Wincanton for hosting.

The fixture, which has been added in light of the forecast for Sunday’s Jump fixtures, will comprise seven races, with the ability to divide to nine if required. Entries will close at noon tomorrow (Friday 6 February), with declarations to be made by 10am on Saturday 7 February.

Whereas previously any Flat fixture added on an otherwise Flat-free Sunday has been scheduled as rider-restricted, following representations from the Professional Jockeys Association, this fixture will be open to all riders. Moving forward only such fixtures added in December and January will be rider-restricted.

In addition, following a discussion raised by the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS) at the sport鈥檚 Commercial Committee meeting last week, the overall policy of programming additional All-Weather fixtures on Sundays will be reviewed in the coming months.

The BHA is grateful to the participants, stable employees, raceday officials and others who will be servicing this fixture at late notice.

This decision has been made with BHA Inspectorate approval due to drainage works that will be carried out on the Flat track and outside of the Hurdle course at Chepstow. Following completion of the works, it has been agreed to transfer Chepstow鈥檚 first fixture to Bath to allow enough time for suitable re-growth to occur before beginning their Flat Turf season.

The first Flat fixture to take place at Chepstow will therefore be on Thursday 21 May, at which, along with the fixture on Thursday 28 May, a number of stall movements, rail movements and safety factor reductions will also be required.

With the Hurdles course currently Heavy (Waterlogged in places) and further rain forecast this week, the decision to abandon the Hurdle races and replace them with four Steeple Chases has been made, in agreement with the BHA Course Inspectorate, to ensure the fixture has the best possible chance of going ahead. The Chase course is currently Soft, Heavy in places, with isolated waterlogged areas, which will be monitored through the week.

The Grade 2 Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Jane Seymour Mares鈥� Novices Hurdle will be rescheduled to run at Warwick on Saturday 7 February.

The race conditions for the four additional Steeple Chases will be available to view on Racing Admin this afternoon, and, along with the Jane Seymour Mares鈥� Novices Hurdle, will close for entries at 12pm tomorrow (Tuesday 3 February). Declarations will be taken at the 48-hour stage.