Kempton are racing on four of the next five days
Pic: Dan Abraham, courtesy of Kempton Park

By Simon Jackson

Kempton Park is set to stage the sole race meeting in the United Kingdom today, following the abandonments of Leicester, Ludlow and Newcastle due to the wet weather.

Today’s twilight fixture commences at 4.50pm and is the start of a busy period for the Middlesex track who host racing on four of the next five days, following the announcement of a ‘jumpers for bumpers’ card on Friday.

The first of the four meetings commences with an eight race card tonight, which will be followed by a seven race programme on Thursday and the additional meeting on Friday.

The national hunt and all-weather track complete the busy week with an all-weather meeting on Sunday at 1.50pm.

In other news, Kempton this afternoon announced 53 entries for the £100,000 Grade 3 Kempton Park Chase on January 29 that includes multiple entries from the stables of Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Philip Hobbs and Willie Mullins.

Kempton clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, said: “The Kempton Park Chase is a fantastic race attracting some of the best staying chasers.

“It is great to see so many top quality entries at this stage from both domestic and Irish trainers which should result in another high class renewal of the Kempton Park Chase.”

Meanwhile fellow Jockey Club racecourse, Sandown Park, have announced a provisional all-chase card on Saturday, in order to protect the fixture that remains under threat due to the bad weather.

Kempton Park (Friday 31/01/2014) Running order for additional meeting
2:15 33256 The Dine In The Panoramic Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)
2:50 33252 The Mix Business With Pleasure At Kempton ‘Jumpers’ Bumper’ National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)
3:25 33253 The Kempton For Weddings ‘Jumpers’ Bumper’ National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)
4:00 33254 The Book Now For Silver Cups Day 15.03.14 ‘Jumpers’ Bumper’ National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)
4:35 33251 The kempton.co.uk ‘Jumpers’ Bumper’ National Hunt Flat Race (Class 3)
5:05 33255 The Kempton Park Chase Day 22.02.14 ‘Jumpers’ Bumper’ National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4)