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Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, is to run its bumper races in the opposite direction to their point-to-point races this season.
Racing has always taken place left-handed at the picturesque Wiltshire track, which is set to host three meetings this term. But, mindful that the ground can get cut up especially near the three-mile start bend, officials are keen to explore the potential for running races right-handed. Approval for the switch has been given by BHA course inspector Peter Hobbs and the local point-to-point inspector Nick Bush. A short presentation and course walk was held with owners, trainers and riders on Sunday, October 24 – and now it’s been decided to keep the races over obstacles left-handed, but run the bumpers on the flat right-handed.
Clerk of the course John White said: “We are going to run the point-to-point races as normal and the bumpers and pony races the other way round. Basically it is to see if there is any benefit for the course and the horses going the other way. We will start with the bumpers and see how it goes. I think it will be interesting. It is quite a novel idea.”
The change will come into effect at the Barbury International on Sunday, December 12, followed by the Vine & Craven Hunt meeting on Sunday, February 13 and the Tedworth Hunt fixture on Sunday, April 10.
Changing the running direction at racecourses is unusual. However, Revesby Park and Pyle have changed directions in recent years, and Wexford in Ireland, which races under rules, trialled switching from right-handed to left-handed six years ago. The move proved popular with trainers and riders – and the course has raced that way ever since.
