'The whole thing needs a radical overhaul' - small fields part of wider problem

Senior Newmarket trainer Stuart Williams believes the sport should examine trimming the fixture list to combat the crisis of small fields, but would ultimately prefer to see a radical change in the structure and running of British racing.

Williams was reacting to the news that more races with five or fewer runners have been contested this year than at any point in the last quarter of a century.

The Horseracing Bettors Forum (HBF) said the situation was a turn-off for punters and its chairman Colin Hord called for racedays to be cut by up to 100 next year.