Big Newbury meeting on next Friday The British Horseracing Authority have confirmed a replacement fixture for today's abandoned meeting at Newbury will take place next Friday. The 'Betfair Super Saturday' card had been due to showcase the talents of among others, Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run and his exciting stablemate Sprinter Sacre. The meeting had to be called off yesterday morning due to snow on the track, but BHA officials have reached an agreement with Newbury, sponsors Betfair, the Levy Board and Channel 4 Racing to restage the superb card. A BHA press release read: "Following the abandonment of racing at Newbury on Saturday, the British Horseracing Authority, in conjunction with the Levy Board, has granted Newbury a replacement fixture to be staged on Friday 17 February. "The major races lost from Saturday's card will be rescheduled, including the previously rescheduled Scilly Isles Novices' Chase. "The first three races of a seven-race card will be on Channel 4 during a programme due to be broadcast from 12.10 until 1.40. "The original entries for the Betfair Hurdle Race will stand and trainers are required to make confirmations once again on Saturday 11 February. "Entries for all other races must be made by noon on Saturday 11 February, with declarations to run made by 10am on Thursday 16 February." Paul Nicholls has confirmed Zarkandar will run in the rearranged Betfair Hurdle. Crucially the feature race will retain its original value and writing in his exclusive column at www.betfair.com/paulnicholls the champion trainer said: "Losing Newbury was a big blow - but at least it has been softened by the news that the whole meeting has been transferred to next Friday, live on Channel 4. "So fair play to all concerned in making this happen. And it is especially pleasing to see that the Betfair Hurdle retains its original prize money of £152,500 and will still be run as Europe's richest handicap hurdle, despite the race being run on a Friday. "Last year it was run for a fraction of that, with the winner only getting just over £34,000. "As long as they are all fit and well, then all the horses I was going to run at Newbury tomorrow will turn out next Friday - and that includes Zarkandar. "I would not be overly-concerned if a lot of my horses had to go straight to Cheltenham - I can get them fresh, fit and well at home - but it is a different story for horses that haven't yet run this season. So Zarkandar will run."
