Flat fields on the rise - but jump races attract record-low runners

The emergence of softer ground has led to a significant upturn in average field sizes on the Flat since the start of September.

There has been an average field size of 9.98 runners in the last seven weeks – up from 9.37 in the same period last year. The average field size on the Flat – all-weather and turf – had been 8.18 in August and 8.13 in July, the worst performing month of the year.

For jump racing it is a different tale. An average field size of 6.55 runners is the lowest in this period since the BHA’s statistics began in 1995, with the prevalence of quick ground on the back of a dry summer leading to record low fields.