Fakenham exploring ways to attract more runners after only 29 declarations
Fakenham officials are working with the BHA to explore methods of attracting more runners after just 29 horses were declared to run on Tuesday's six-race card.
That tally is ten below the track's average yield of 39 runners per meeting since the beginning of 2018 and clerk of the course David Hunter hopes a revamp in race planning will see those figures rise in future.
Hunter said: "It's disappointing, and a surprise to only see 29 declared, although we have a couple of specialist races on the card with a mares' handicap chase and a mares' handicap hurdle.
"We've fared the storm of wet weather for the last couple of weeks far better than other parts of the country so the ground was that much better.
"We'll be working with the BHA next year to see how we can improve upon the number of runners."
Fakenham's lowest turnouts since January 2018
33 January 1, 2018
33 March 16, 2018
32 October 18, 2018
26 November 20, 2018
28 June 2, 2019
Despite expressing his frustration at Tuesday's turnout, Hunter highlighted that this fixture suffered a similar fate last season, with just 26 horses featuring, and that proposed changes are already in place for the new year.
"This meeting has struggled a bit in the past and at least we're starting with more runners than we actually had on this card last year," he said. "There was some warning that this was going to be the case with so few entries made a week ago.
"It's a concern but there was a certain element of 'writing on the wall' in advance.
"We've had a thorough review of our races and some outside independent thoughts on the race planning side of things, and the BHA planners have been very understanding.
"Those changes will be coming into place on January 1, but it was too late to get the amendments made to this fixture because it had already been published in the programme book."
He added: "The number of runners we have at Fakenham is the most pressing issue we have as it is something that has decreased over the years, but I know we're not alone in that respect."
For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app
Published on 18 November 2019inNews
Last updated 19:57, 18 November 2019
- 'It's a dream come true' - 18-year-old to follow in Khadijah Mellah's footsteps with ride in the Magnolia Cup
- Merci Olivier! No final winner for Olivier Peslier but the world of racing unites in saluting the end of a great career
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- 'It's a dream come true' - 18-year-old to follow in Khadijah Mellah's footsteps with ride in the Magnolia Cup
- Merci Olivier! No final winner for Olivier Peslier but the world of racing unites in saluting the end of a great career
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard