The British Horseracing Authority’s (BHA) Jump Pattern Committee has today announced changes to British Jump Pattern and Listed races for the 2019/20 season.

Two contests have been selected for upgrade, both of which take place in mid-January, at Kempton Park and Warwick respectively:

Racecourse and date	Race	Upgrade	Distance	Age
Kempton Park, 11th January 2020	The Silviniaco Conti Steeple Chase	Listed to Grade 2	2m4f 110y	5yo+
Warwick, 11th January 2020	The Hampton Novices' Steeple Chase	Listed to Grade 2	3m	5yo+

It has also been confirmed today that Philip Hobbs has stepped down from the Jump Pattern Committee and has been replaced by Amy Murphy.

Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Racing Development at the BHA, said: 
“The Chases being upgraded exceed the required rating parameter in each case by some way and play a useful role in the black type programme. The two-and-a-half mile Chase at Kempton Park sits nicely between the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in December and the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February, having been specifically created by the committee in 2014 to fill this gap."

On Phillip Hobbs stepping down from the Jump Pattern Committee, Quinn added: 
“I would like to thank Philip Hobbs for his many years of service on the Jump Pattern Committee. Philip has been a tremendous asset to the group and his valuable input will be much missed.”

Barney Clifford, Clerk of the Course at Kempton Park, said: 
“We are delighted that the Silviniaco Conti Steeple Chase on Lanzarote Hurdle Day has been enhanced to Grade 2 status – since its inception it has been an ultra-competitive race and has been a springboard for future King George VI Steeple Chase contenders. We are renaming it to mark the wonderful achievement Silviniaco Conti made when winning back to back King George VI Steeple Chases."

Silviniaco Conti at Kempton Park Racecourse

Andre Klein, General Manager at Warwick, said:

“We are delighted that the Hampton Novice Chase, which is on our important Classic Chase programme in January has been uplifted to Grade 2 status – it’s been a competitive race in recent years with the likes of Ok Corral and Ms Parfois amongst many quality winners. For this to be recognized, highlights the growing strength of racing at Warwick.”