RACEGOERS will be hoping for sunny conditions in the coming days but a potential downside of bright conditions at this time of year is the omission of hurdles and fences due to the hazard of low-lying sun.

Cheltenham’s winter meetings in particular have been affected by this problem in recently years and it is a phenomenon which is not uncommon here. In recent weeks obstacles at Cork, Fairyhouse and Punchestown have been bypassed due to sunshine and at Naas on December 16th no hurdles or fences in the home straight were jumped in six races due to low-lying sun.

Asked to explain how the decision is made to omit jumps for this reason, Niall Cronin of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: “The clerk of the course will always monitor the situation with regard to a low-lying sun. They may be of the opinion that an obstacle needs to be omitted having walked the track or it may be brought to their attention following a race or at the start of a race that an obstacle should be looked at to be omitted.

“The clerk will always use their experience to decide on the best course of action. In all cases the riders will be consulted. Before any obstacle is omitted the acting stewards are consulted and a final decision is made.”

Usually the omissions are only required for one or two races. With regard to the Naas situation, Cronin said: “It was a particularly bright sun shining down the home straight and it was understandable that the hurdles be omitted. Having monitored the situation throughout the day, it was decided that the best course of action was to omit the fences also, as lengthening shadows became an issue.

“All decisions are made in the interest of safety. These can often be tough and subjective decisions but we are satisfied that our clerks and our acting stewards arrive at the most appropriate decision in these circumstances.”

Cronin added that the issue of low-lying sun and shadows were discussed at the last safety review meeting in March between all the stakeholders and it was agreed that obstacles would be omitted at the discretion of the clerk of the course, following consultation with the riders and also the acting stewards.

The next safety review meeting will be in February 2020 when the topic will again be on the agenda.