Fakenham boss laments small fields and suggests dry spell may be a factor

Fakenham chief executive David Hunter said he was disappointed by the field sizes for the track's meeting on Friday but pointed to the recent dry spell as one possible explanation for the lack of runners.

There are six races – worth a combined £59,000 – which are expected to be run on good ground, but they have only attracted 29 runners, with just three set to go to post for the 3m novice handicap chase.

The average field size this month across jump and Flat races has been 8.73, the smallest since BHA records began in 1995. Between the beginning of August and October 13, the average was 8.45, also a record low.

"It's very disappointing when you've got safe ground, which I hope will be on the easy side of good, and our prize-money is good but it's a difficult time of year," said Hunter. "There may be some horses who haven't come forward as quickly as you'd expect due to the dry spell.

David Hunter: chief executive and clerk of the course at FakenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Could the reason we had more runners last year be because winter horses finished early due to the curtailed season and were ready to go? Our distance from most places comes into play, too. If you look at Wincanton on Thursday, they had far more runners despite good to firm ground. It's disappointing but we've done everything we can."

Hunter added: "We've put 40mm of irrigated water on the track ahead of this meeting to ensure we're running on good ground. We're fortunate we can do that – not every course can."

The track has recently published its prize-money commitment and pledge to owners, and one of its promises was to contribute at least £400,000 into prize-money on top of central levy and BHA funding, which will be spread across 12 fixtures, with its final meeting in May.

Its good prize-money and ground were two of the reasons Welsh trainer Evan Williams opted to declare three runners for the meeting.

Evan Williams: sends three runners to Fakenham on FridayCredit: Gareth Everett

"It's difficult this time of the year," said Williams. "People are clearly wary of starting horses who perhaps haven't had as much work as they'd have liked on ground that may be considered on the fast side.

"It's a difficult one because sometimes the races are there to suit you and sometimes they aren't. A lot of people err on the side of caution at this time of the year but that could be one of several reasons.

"As far as I'm concerned, when we go to Fakenham, the ground is always as described and it will be beautiful. We tend to send horses there at this time of year who have had a run and want ground on the decent side. We've got no worries travelling there to take part."

The issue of small fields was highlighted at Wetherby on Wednesday when only two runners went to post for the 1m7f novice chase, which was won by Pay The Piper after sole rival Hardy Du Seuil fell at the first fence.

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