Dry spell causes two more Jump fixtures to be cancelled

The prolonged dry spell has forced the Jockey Club to cancel upcoming jumps meetings at Kempton and Exeter.

Kempton’s jumps season was due to begin on Sunday week, but the fixture was called off on Wednesday afternoon after the ground was deemed unsuitable, despite irrigation having begun in June.

The Panoramic Hurdle has been relocated to Carlisle on October 22. However, the beginners’ chase on that card has been cancelled following a course inspection, with officials concerned that ground conditions would attract too few runners.

Exeter’s second meeting of the season, scheduled for October 20 and featuring the Best Mate Beginners’ Chase, has also been cancelled. The course has received no significant rainfall in recent weeks, with insufficient rain forecast to improve conditions.

The BHA said it had explored replacement options for both Kempton and the cancelled Fakenham meeting scheduled for Friday week, but none had proved possible.

An additional fixture will instead take place at Perth on Thursday week, featuring a two-mile beginners’ chase. Entries close this Friday.