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Reduction in May fixtures set to have worrying consequences for small operators

Derek O'Connor with Jonjo O'Neill after Minella Rocco's success at Wetherby in February
Derek O'Connor (left) could saddle his first runner as a trainer at the weekendCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Publication of the spring 2023 fixture list confirmed what had already been predicted in this column in recent weeks, that the South Union committee had unfortunately failed in its extensive efforts to gain permission to stage its marquee two-day fixture on its traditional June bank holiday date.

Disappointingly that leaves a 73-fixture programme of meetings that not only doesn't include Kinsale but also finishes on May 21, a full two weeks earlier than had been customary until recently.

The net effect of this is a much-reduced campaign for May, which consists of just nine fixtures, undoubtedly a worrying eroding of a once robust month of fixtures.

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