Talking Horses: Southwell under microscope as jump racing returns

National Hunt racing will return to Southwell on Friday, more than two months after the British Horseracing Authority suspended jumping at the course to investigate eight fatal injuries to horses there since 1 July. All of its chase fences have been at least slightly modified with two singled out for more significant changes, but the investigation concluded that the tight, speed-favouring nature of the course was not a factor in the spate of fatalities.

Trainers and owners gave the track a vote of confidence this week when nearly 150 initial entries were received for seven races, including three contests over the chase course. Five of the eight horses killed at the track over the summer were running in chases, including Croco Bay, the winner of the Grand Annual Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.

The fences either side of the turn into Southwell’s home straight have received special attention, with a “shoulder” being added to the front of the fence to encourage horses to shape their jumps more accurately. The first fence in the home straight has been “re-sited as far from the bottom bend as is feasible”.

The BHA’s investigation focused its attention on chase events after an analysis of faller rates in hurdles – responsible for two of the eight fatal injuries – showed that Southwell’s rate was in long-term decline. It also concluded that despite Southwell staging several extra meetings over the summer compared to recent years,, “no evidence could be found to attribute the condition of the ground as a cause of the fatalities”.

There was evidence, however, that the increase in fixtures had led to a higher number of low-ability horses – which are more likely to make mistakes or fall – running at the course. As a result, the report recommends that “the volume of fixtures from July to September should be considered”, and also that changes should be made “to ensure a more even spread through all levels of ability”.

Final declarations for the meeting will be made on Wednesday morning, but 142 five-day entries suggest “confidence in the course and the work that’s been done among trainers and owners,” Robin Mounsey, the BHA’s head of media, said on Tuesday.

“You can never entirely rule out accidents happening,” Mounsey added, “and you also can’t jump to conclusions [when they do]. That’s why we use long-term data and trends rather than basing it too much on short-term clusters of incidents, but when a course is at or near the top over three or four years, then we will look at it.”

Wednesday’s racing preview and tips

The second-biggest meeting of the year at Cheltenham is just a couple of days away but there is still plenty of interest on the schedule today, including a fascinating match-up between Fiddlerontheroof and Sporting John (3.10) in the beginners’ chase at Exeter.

The betting has them at even-money and 11-10 respectively, although Fiddlerontheroof, who won the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle last January, has a slight advantage in terms of recent experience, having finished a creditable second to If The Cap Fits on his chasing debut last month.

Sporting John could be the better long-term prospect, despite having let his backers down on his last start, when he was second-favourite behind Envoi Allen for the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at the Festival but finished only seventh. He looks tailor-made for chasing and should advertise his potential with a win this afternoon.

Other interesting runners on the Exeter card include Ranch Hand (1.30), who won a Listed race on the Flat at Newmarket last time out. Ofalltheginjoints (2.36) jumped like a natural on his chasing debut at Aintree last month and will also be difficult to beat.

On an excellent card at Bangor, Captain Tommy (1.55) could outrun his current odds of around 12-1 in the feature handicap chase. He was below his best on quicker ground at Wincanton in October but his previous run over this track and trip on similar going puts him very much in the mix.

Mint Condition (3.33) was a course-and-distance winner in October and should follow up today, while the maiden hurdle sees impressive bumper winners Easy As That (3.00) and Any News make their hurdling debuts.