Slump in runners shows jump racing 'crying out' for summer break

A worrying decline in field sizes in Britain continued in July, with a record number of contests over jumps being classed as failed races – those attracting fewer than six runners – for the third month in a row.

More than a quarter of jump races in June, 28.26 per cent, featured fewer than six runners, the highest proportion for that month since BHA records began in 1995, and followed a record high in May.

However, July's figures make even bleaker reading, with a record 38.46 per cent of jump races attracting a field of five or fewer. Average runners per race in July over jumps fell to 6.94 from 6.99 the previous month.