BHA adds two additional jumps fixtures in wake of abandonments due to frost

The BHA has confirmed two additional jumps fixtures will be held at the start of next week to make up for meetings abandoned due to frozen ground.

Market Rasen's Friday card, which featured the Listed Alan Swinbank mares' bumper, failed to pass an inspection but a six-race card will be staged at the track on Tuesday that will include the feature bumper.

Another six-race meeting will also be staged on Monday at Ffos Las, which last opened its doors on January 5, with both fixtures able to divide to seven races if necessary.

Conditions were deemed unraceable at Market Rasen at noon on Thursday due to areas of frozen ground, while Ffos Las is currently reporting conditions as soft, heavy in places.

Entries will open on Friday at noon for the two cards ahead of declarations at the usual 48-hour mark on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Cartmel clerk of the course Anthea Leigh stands down after 14-year stint

Anthea Leigh is standing down as clerk of the course at Cartmel after 14 years' service.

Leigh is leaving the Cumbrian track to pursue other interests, but will continue in her role as racing manager and raceday clerk at York.

"It has been a very difficult decision," she said. "Cartmel will always hold a special place in my heart but making this move will allow me to concentrate my efforts at York, in addition to establishing a small breeding operation on the farm at Adlestrop along with my husband Christopher.

"It will be a new chapter for me and the challenges of my role at York, where I have worked since 2010 along with this new enterprise, will certainly keep me busy."

Leigh, the daughter of the late Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Peter Beaumont, has been a driving force at the popular summer jumps track, which stages nine fixtures between May and August.

"It has been a real honour and a privilege to be clerk at Cartmel. It is undoubtedly one of the jewels in racing's crown, a totally unique racecourse in a beautiful setting with a special magic," she said.

"Racegoers can bring their dogs and families to enjoy a picnic in a holiday atmosphere while getting close to the racing action, although this does require the clerk and grounds team to have eyes in the back of their heads."

Anthea Leigh: will continue in her role at YorkCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Throughout her tenure, Leigh has worked closely with head groundsman Gary Sharp and his small team, who were crowned winners of the Racecourse Groundstaff Award in 2016 and 2022.

Cartmel chairman Lord Cavendish said: "We are desperately sorry to see Anthea leave, but fully understand why. She has done a tremendous job for us over the years and we shall miss her while wishing her every success in the future."

Hunter appointed new chairman of Scottish Racing

Mark Hunter has been appointed the new chairman of Scottish Racing, taking over from Sir Ian Good who has led the body that supports the country's racing industry since its inception in 2000.

Hunter has been a director of Scottish Racing, which also promotes Scotland's five tracks, since 2018 and is also chairman of Kelso.

Mark Hunter: has been a director of Scottish Racing since 2018Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Good, chairman of Hamilton, will remain on the board at Scottish Racing, whose chief executive Delly Innes said: "Scottish Racing was incredibly fortunate to have Sir Ian Good as chairman for over twenty years, having first established the body in 2000 to represent the five racecourses in Scotland.

"I am greatly looking forward to working more closely with Mark to continue to fulfil Scottish Racing's remit to promote and support the sport in Scotland and further afield."

Hunter said: "I am delighted to be taking up the position as chairman of Scottish Racing following on from the strong leadership of Sir Ian, and I am looking forward to being able to serve the country's five racecourses on a national level."

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