Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Talking Horses: Southwell under microscope as jump racing returns

The track reopens on Friday following urgent fence rebuilding and re-siting after a spate of fatalities in the summer

National Hunt racing will return to Southwell on Friday, more than two months after the British Horseracing Authority took the highly unusual decision to suspend jumping at the course to investigate eight fatal injuries to horses there since 1 July. All of its chase fences have been at least slightly modified, with two singled out for more significant changes, but the investigation concluded that the tight, speed-favouring nature of the course was not a factor in the spate of fatalities.

Trainers and owners gave the track a vote of confidence this week when nearly 150 initial entries were received for seven races, including three contests over the chase course. Five of the eight horses killed at the track over the summer were running in chases, including Croco Bay, the winner of the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2019.

Related: Southwell's tight jumps track may be a factor in fatalities say trainers

Ayr 

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from Sportblog | The Guardian https://ift.tt/38wCFAM

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