Fixtures cut was a symbolic gesture - but there was little more the BHA could do

Last week's fixture list announcement from the BHA is best described as a fudge but, given the circumstances, there was not much else the governing body could have done without causing conflict.

The fact that nobody is particularly happy is probably the best result the BHA could have hoped for.

The 20-meeting reduction in the size of next year's schedule has been described as frustrating and disappointing by Racecourse Association chief executive David Armstrong but there are others among his members who were much angrier than that.