Time of Monday's Cartmel meeting brought forward to avoid hottest temperatures

The BHA has announced that Monday's card at Cartmel will kick off at midday in an attempt to get the seven race card run before temperatures reach their highest.

On Friday, the Authority announced the cancellation of five meetings across Monday and Tuesday and although Cumbria is not due to reach 40C as could be the case further south, the change of timing is part of what the BHA described as "continued monitoring" of the weather situation.

After discussions with the racecourse executive, a BHA statement said: "Racing will now begin at 12.00pm, with the last race taking place at 3.15pm - two hours earlier than originally scheduled.

"Cartmel is not located in the Red extreme heat warning area, but this proactive step has been taken as a precautionary measure to provide the most comfortable conditions for horses and people.

"With weather warnings in place across large parts of Britain on Monday and Tuesday, those travelling to race meetings are advised to check Met Office guidance and take appropriate precautions.

"The BHA continues to monitor forecasts and will issue further updates where necessary."

Monday's cards at Windsor and Beverley were among the five meetings abandoned and the day's racing now rests with the retimed Cartmel fixture as the sole Flat fixture in Britain at Ayr, while Ballinrobe stages evening racing in Ireland

On Tuesday, Musselburgh carries the flag in Britain while Ballinrobe stages a jumping card in the evening.

The BHA took the step of cancelling all five meetings in the area covered by the Met Office's first ever red weather warning for extreme temperatures.

Kieran Cotter cobalt fines and costs reduced on appeal

Trainer Kieran Cotter has had his appeal against the severity of the €35,000 in fines and costs he was handed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board following a positive cobalt test largely dismissed.

After Cotter's Slade Runner tested positive for elevated levels of cobalt following his win at Dundalk in January 2021, the IHRB and department of agriculture officials found numerous needles and syringes around the yard at his County Laois premises, as well as various products containing cobalt and vitamin B12.

He was fined €20,000 for failing to maintain his medicines register, €2,500 for the cobalt breach and a further €5,000 for administering the cobalt drench. The appeals panel, which convened on July 1, quashed the latter finding and sanction as it was deemed to have been covered by the original €2,500 fine relating to the positive test.

However, the panel then found that sanction to be too lenient and doubled it to €5,000. Costs of €7,500 awarded against Cotter were upheld, meaning his overall bill reduces to €32,500.

'Simply unacceptable' - eight reportedly involved in Epsom fight

Racegoers responsible for a fight at Epsom on Thursday evening have been threatened with lifetime bans from all Jockey Club racecourses.

Eight people are understood to have been involved in the incident which happened at the track’s 80s night fixture where Martin Kemp, of Spandau Ballet fame, performed a DJ set following the six-race Flat card.

A Jockey Club spokesperson said: "Any form of antisocial behaviour is simply unacceptable. The matter was reported to the police immediately and anyone identified as being responsible will be banned from all Jockey Club racecourses for life in line with our zero tolerance policy."

Surrey Police, who are investigating the fight, have been approached for a comment.

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