Betfair race meet at Newbury is rescheduled

Prince Harry was unable to attend the charity fundraiser on Saturday

THOUSANDS of racegoers who had their tickets refunded after a prestigious day of racing was cancelled at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday (11) can attend a replacement fixture on Friday, February 17, the racecourse has announced.

The Betfair Super Saturday event, which Prince Harry was due to attend, failed to go ahead after severe cold weather on Friday prompted the racecourse to take the decision to cancel the meet.

Overnight snowfall and temperatures of -7C had been predicted and after inspecting the track the racecourse management deemed the conditions to be too dangerous for racing.

Later that day, the racecourse confirmed a replacement fixture would take place this Friday, and announced: “It is important that the key races that were due to run tomorrow are replaced. Therefore it's with thanks to The BHA, The Levy Board and our sponsors Betfair that we are pleased to announce that we will be able to stage them a week today.

We hope to attract a quality card, with the Betfair Hurdle still valued at £152,500 making it Europe's richest handicap hurdle, as well as Gold Cup winner Long Run still being an intended runner and with free entry we encourage racegoers to come to Newbury next Friday and enjoy a great days racing.”

Entrance will be free on the gate with one enclosure.

Today (Monday) a spokesman for Prince Harry, Nick Loughran, confirmed that the prince would be unable to attend the replacement fixture on Friday, as he is away on military training.

Prince Harry had been due to attend Saturday's event to present a special trophy after the Betfair race in aid of the Walking With the Wounded charity, of which he is patron.

He was due to be joined on Saturday by a team of injured soldiers from the charity who will be attempting to climb Mount Everest in May.

Friday's fixture at the racecourse will feature seven races, with three covered by Channel 4. The schedule is as follows:

• 12.15pm The Betfair Super Saturday Steeple Chase (Grade 2) Registered as the Game Spirit Chase (CH4) £30,
• 12.45pm The Betfair Denman Steeple Chase (Grade 2) (CH4) £30,000
• 1.20pm The Betfair Hurdle (Grade 3) (CH4) £152,500
• 1.55pm Betfair Don't Settle for Less Novices Hurdle £5,000
• 2.30pm Betfair Supports Walking with the Wounded Handicap Hurdle £8,000
• 3.00pm The Betfair Novices Chase (Grade 1) Registered as the Scilly Isles Novices Chase £25,000
• 3.35pm Betfair Mobile for Best Prices Bumper (Grade 2) £10,000.