Worcester meeting off due to heat

Wednesday's meeting at Worcester was abandoned after one race due to a shortage of on-course water for horses.

Stewards and veterinary officials decided to call it off as the horses were being affected by the hot weather.

Stipendiary steward Richard Westropp said: "The decision to abandon was a wholly equine welfare concern.

"Due to the excessive heat, and that it was 85 degrees inside the stables, the horses were arriving on the track dehydrated before they had run a race."

The fixture had been put on hold while the track refilled its water holders, following the opening Winterfold House Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

But with one of the runners collapsing due to heat exhaustion, they then decided to abandon the meeting.

The British Horse Racing Association have confirmed to BBC Hereford and Worcester that it is the first time a meeting has been abandoned due to heat.

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