Sun concern for Welsh racecourse Ffos Las

Plunkett wins the inaugural race at Ffos Las racecourse

Ffos Las have brought forward their next race meeting by an hour - so jockeys are not dazzled by low sun.

The Welsh racecourse was forced to omit several hurdles in their last meeting as jockeys suffered sight problems caused by the low Carmathenshire sun.

And because of the potential sunshine issues in the home straight, the first race for their 17 June meeting has been brought forward to 1750 BST.

"This isn't unique to Ffos Las," said clerk of the course Tim Long.

"We potentially have a problem about an hour before sunset.

"It has happened over the years at a number of racecourses, including Cheltenham which suffers similar issues with low sun in the autumn."

Ffos Las opened on a former opencast mine last June when the Trimsaran track became the first new turf horseracing course to open in the United Kingdom for 80 years.

And the course hosts its first ladies' night on 17 June - but the low sun problem has caused headaches for Ffos Las managers.

"The final race on ladies' night is a hurdle race," continued Long.

"And for a bit of further insurance we are moving the positions of the hurdles slightly to help us further."

The six-race card will now be between 1750 BST and 2020 BST rather than 1850 BST and 2120 BST as originally scheduled.