Mick Quinn says 'lower tiers are lifeblood' as BHA reacts with 14 new fixtures

Trainer Mick Quinn has called the lack of races for lower-grade horses "a disaster for the sport" and forecast a devastating blow to the owning and training ranks if it is not addressed.

The former footballer's worries were echoed by National Trainers Federation president Emma Lavelle, who said the problem went even further and warned: "There are pressure points at lots of different levels at the moment."

But the BHA responded on Tuesday by announcing the short-term measure of adding 14 new fixtures before the end of the year.