Jockey Club Racecourses has moved to compensate owners of horses declared to run in the JRL Group Mares' Handicap Chase that was due to be staged over three and a quarter miles at Cheltenham Racecourse this afternoon (3.50pm), following the abandonment of the race. 
 
Ian Renton, Regional Director for Cheltenham and the South West, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "These were exceptional circumstances today and we fully support the stewards' decision to abandon our fourth and longest distance race due to the heat. As a sport, it's imperative we put the welfare of horses first.
 
"As such, we also think it is an appropriate gesture of goodwill to the owners of all declared horses in the race to receive compensation towards the travel expenses they will have incurred." 
 
For information:
 
Jockeys had weighed out for the race so they will receive their riding fee as normal.
 
The three races that followed were run over shorter distances and were completed without incident.