Small fields still an issue in autumn but recent rain may spark upturn

A lack of runners continues to blight British racing, with field sizes between August and November at their lowest this century. Analysis of BHA data showed a worrying trend of small field sizes continued last month with an average of 8.92 runners per race, the second-lowest value since 2000, and 8.06 runners per jump race.

The average field size between August 1 and November 30 was 8.77, the worst this century, while the average field for jump races in that period was 7.82, the third-lowest return behind 2003 and 2014.

The overall percentage of failed races, those with five runners or fewer, was 15.9 per cent in that period, the highest since 2003, and 25.13 per cent for jump races, the highest since 2014.