'It's a start' says Paul Nicholls as trainers give thumbs up to 170-race cull

A small step in the right direction was the consensus from leading jumps trainers Paul Nicholls and Fergal O'Brien after British racing's leaders on Wednesday revealed plans to cut approximately 170 races over jumps and on the Flat from the 2023 summer programme.

Both Nicholls and O'Brien have called for a slimming down of the race programme to varying degrees in light of faltering field sizes this summer, and were keen to draw the positives after a package of changes were announced with the aim of improving the competitiveness of races in Britain next year.

Among the initiatives outlined in a joint statement from the BHA, Thoroughbred Group and Racecourse Association, were plans for the maximum number of programmed races for fixtures with prize-money not exceeding £200,000 over jumps to be reduced from seven to six in July and August, and in September from an average of 6.5 to six. According to racing's leaders that will equate to a reduction of approximately 50 races across that period.