THE chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Julie Harrington, says British racing must act swiftly to improve the quality of National Hunt horses bred, owned and trained in Britain.

Harrington issued a strongly-worded statement on Saturday morning, a day after the conclusion of the Cheltenham Festival which saw Irish-trained horses win 19 of the 27 races. Willie Mullins had nine winners, the same number as all the British trainers combined.