Qualification for the Cheltenham Christie’s Foxhunter extended

THE British Horseracing Authority has extended the qualification period for the Cheltenham Christie’s Foxhunter by one week, to Monday, 2 March.

Because of the extreme weather conditions during early February, seven hunter chases and nine point-to-point fixtures were lost. The extra week gives an extra four hunter chase and 10 pointing qualification opportunities.

Cheltenham’s director of racing, Simon Claisse, said: “With so many fixtures being lost to snow and waterlogging in the last two or three weeks, there was a groundswell of support from the point-to-point community to extend the qualification period by a week.

“This should help to ensure that the best possible field lines up for the Christie’s Foxhunter Steeple Chase on Friday, March 13.”

The hunter chase fixtures are:

• 26 FEBRUARY, LUDLOW, Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy (Class 5), 3m
• 26 FEBRUARY, TAUNTON, Pontispool Equine Sports Centre (Class 5) (For Mitford-Slade Challenge Trophy), 2m 7f 110yd
• 27 FEBRUARY, NEWBURY, Paul Nicholls Racing Ltd (Class 6), 2m 6f 110yd
• 28 FEBRUARY, KELSO, Ship Inn, Dalkeith Open (Class 6), 2m 6f 110yd

For details of the point-to-point fixtures visit: www.pointtopoint.co.uk

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