Three-mile novice hurdle abandoned at Southwell due to high temperatures

The 3m novices' hurdle at Southwell on Monday was abandoned on veterinary advice due to high temperatures at the track, though the final two races on the card took place as planned.

Temperatures peaked at 28C at the Nottinghamshire course and stewards deemed race seven unsafe to run in the hot weather after an inquiry.

Jockeys Tom Scudamore, Paddy Brennan and Sean Quinlan, trainers David Bridgwater and Sam England, the veterinary officer, veterinary surgeon, clerk of the course and track's managing director attended the inquiry.

Anna-Louise Powell, the BHA chief steward at the meeting, said: “The vets said it poses more of a risk to run the three-mile novice hurdle than it does to run the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdles, so we’ve taken the decision to abandon that race as that’s what the vets feel is appropriate action in this heat.”

There were six non-runners in the first division of the 2m4f handicap hurdle, four on account of the going, and another withdrawn due to the ground in the finale. Division one was won by Sam Twiston-Davies aboard Double Court, while the Craig Nichol-ridden No Regrets landed division two.

Sam Twiston-Davies: 'You have to do what the vets believe is best.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Twiston-Davies said: "The decision was in the best interests of all the horses. I can understand if the trainers in that race were frustrated, but you have to do what the vets believe is best.”

Clerk of the course Paul Barker said: “There was a stewards’ inquiry following concerns from the veterinary team and the decision was taken to not run the three-mile novice hurdle.

“The decision was purely on the heat. It’s got up to 28 degrees today, which was more than we expected.”

Earlier on the card Croco Bay suffered a fatal injury when unseating in the 2m handicap chase, and bumper debutant Lost On You was also fatally injured on the flat.

The veterinary officer found four horses to be lame after contesting the final two races.

Barker added: "There was a freak unfortunate incident with Lost On You in the home straight in the bumper, while sadly Croco Bay jumped the fence wrong in the two-mile handicap chase. There's been no other concerns and jockeys have been happy with the ground.

"The jockeys and some trainers were keen to still run the three-mile novice hurdle, but we use the vets as they are the experts and that was their advice."

Read more:

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