Controversial Haydock fences already lowered and softened in Betfair build-up

Haydock's fences had already been reduced in height and stiffness due to BHA concerns in the days leading up to the controversial Betfair Chase card that hit headlines on Saturday for the number of fallers.

Asked for the BHA's position on the fences jumped during the showpiece fixture, the governing body on Monday stated the course had been instructed to make changes following a pre-meeting inspection but that inspector, Chris Dennis, had still felt the fences to be excessively high and stiff.

Six horses fell and one unseated on a day when beaten Betfair Chase favourite Might Bite was reported by trainer Nicky Henderson – who was seen measuring the final jump before the race – to have been left in "panic mode" by portable fences that must be amended again before the Jockey Club-owned course opens its doors on December 5.

Harry Cobden, who finished fourth in the Betfair Chase, said there was nothing wrong with the size of the Haydock jumps – which replaced the previous permanent drop fences in 2007 when the former chase course gave way to a second Flat track – but claimed their tops had been too tightly packed with birch, causing horses who flicked them to turn over.

Nicky Henderson takes a look at the final fence before the Betfair ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Explaining Haydock's position, clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said on Saturday: "We reckoned we had them right and the plan was to repeat exactly the formula of last year to this.

"It's clear we've got them a bit too stiff and we're going to have to address that for the next fixture."

That opinion was backed up by the BHA, whose head of media Robin Mounsey said: "The racecourse was visited by the inspector of courses in the week building up to the fixture on Saturday.

"The inspector noted the height and stiffness of some of the fences and included in his report that, while the course was generally in good condition, some of the fences should be reduced in height and cut back in the front to reduce stiffness.

"Whilst work was carried out to this extent and the course was raceable, on the Saturday the inspector of courses noted the fences were still quite high and on the stiff side.

"The racecourse has given assurances that they will be looked at again and the inspector of courses will visit the course ahead of their next fixture to ensure that the fences are in the optimum condition before being raced over again."

The nature of Haydock's fences surprised some at the track, raising questions over whether information regarding work on fences should be made public to connections and punters in advance of a meeting.

Mounsey added: "While there is no requirement in the General Instructions for changes to fence construction to be reported publicly, some clerks of the course do this already.

"However, this is an item we might raise with the Racecourse Association to discuss whether it should be made mandatory, as with other track-related factors that could impact directly on a race."

Look back on the best action of the year in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual. Order now at racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858