Totesport Day switched to Friday

Racecourse cleared to stage meeting after Southern Electric confirms paddock safety

SATURDAY'S abandoned Totesport Totesport Trophy meeting at Newbury Racecourse will now go ahead on Friday after the racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority agreed to re-stage the meeting.

The Racecourse has been cleared by Southern Electric Power Distribution, who have ruled that the paddock site is safe for horses and people and the BHA has authorised the new date, subject to confirmation from the Racecourse that there are no outstanding issues and the satisfactory review of the post-mortem and samples taken from the affected horses.

"It has been a difficult week so far for all involved with Saturday's traumatic events," said Racecourse co-managing director Stephen Higgins.

Having received confirmation from Southern Electric Power Distribution that the paddock site is safe for both horses and people, we are confident that racing should resume."

Sponsors The Tote and AON have also been consulted and are happy for the races to go ahead.

The chief executive of The Tote, Trevor Beaumont, said:

“It was vital that we came together to save one of the most important days in the Jump racing calendar and as the biggest sponsor of British horseracing we are more than happy to lend our support.”

And he was supported by trainer Nicky Henderson, whose affected horse - Kid Cassidy - has been chercked and passed as fully fit by a vet.

"I feel it's important that racing at the course should resume," he said, "and I wholeheartedly support the decision to re-stage the remaining races of last Saturday's fixture.

"We will be sending our intended runners from our stable to the course."

Tickets for the fixture will only be available on the gate at £15 per person with under 18s admitted free.