• Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE 2) rescheduled to Cheltenham card on Saturday 16 November
• Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase to be run at Cheltenham on Sunday 17 November
• Initial entries stand but both races to re-declare on Friday 15 November at 10am

 

Following the cancellation of racing at Cheltenham racecourse on Friday, 15 November, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), in conjunction with Cheltenham racecourse, has confirmed that the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE 2) and Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase will be rescheduled to the Saturday and Sunday of Cheltenham’s November meeting.

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle will be run on the card on Saturday 16 November at 12:05pm, making an eight race card.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase will be run on Sunday 17 November at 1:15pm and will be shown live on ITV Racing who will be starting their broadcast on ITV4 early to include coverage of this race. As a consequence, the Cheltenham Club Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, which is currently scheduled for 1:15pm on Sunday, will be run at 12:45pm.

Both races will be run for their original prize fund.

Original entries will stand for both races, but trainers are asked to re-declare, with the deadline for both races being 10am on Friday 15 November.

Racing going ahead on Saturday is subject to a 3pm inspection on Friday afternoon.

Paul Johnson, Head of Racing and Racecourse for the BHA, said:

“It’s obviously very disappointing to lose a day’s action from Cheltenham, but we’re pleased to be able to save these two important races. We’re grateful to the racecourse, sponsors and everyone involved, in particular the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), and ITV for allowing their Sunday broadcast to start earlier and take in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase as a result.”

Simon Claisse, Clerk of the Course for Cheltenham racecourse, said:

"Over the past 18 hours we have had nearly 37mm of rainfall and the course is flooded in areas. As such, we have had to regrettably abandon racing on Friday.

"Two races from Friday will be rescheduled across the weekend, however, the racing on Saturday is subject to an inspection at 3pm on Friday as the course is currently unraceable.

"We thank the BHA, the sponsors, and ITV Racing for their support in arranging the rescheduling of the card and hope for more positive news tomorrow afternoon, after the inspection." 

Paul Cooper, Editor for ITV Racing, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to start our broadcast earlier on Sunday in order that we can show the Cross Country Chase. It’s a race our audience always enjoys and we’re looking forward to covering it as part of an extended Sunday show.”