Wexford will become a National Hunt-only racecourse, following a decision taken at a meeting of the Board of Horse Racing Ireland on Monday.

A statement issued by HRI on Wednesday said: "Since Wexford switched from being a right-handed to a left-handed course in April 2015, the consensus is that the racecourse has been much improved for staging National Hunt racing.

Going left-handed, the racecourse now has an uphill finish and the obstacles are better positioned than when it was a right-handed course. The final two fences and hurdles are very well located in front of the stands, providing an exciting spectacle for racegoers, who are able to view the finish on a large screen directly opposite.

"Although the National Hunt fixtures at Wexford have been successful, a much lower runner limit (of 10) has been in place for the Flat meetings held at Wexford (two last year and one in May this year). Despite remedial work including improved cambering of the bends, which was undertaken over the last winter, it has become clear, following discussions with the Turf Club, Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and Irish Jockeys Association, that the course will not be suitable for larger field sizes on the Flat.

"The Board of HRI has therefore decided that Flat racing should be discontinued at Wexford, with the Flat race opportunities being provided at alternative racecourses which are able to accommodate higher numbers of runners."

The two remaining Flat fixtures scheduled for Wexford this year will be transferred to Gowran Park (Saturday 23rd July) and Navan (Saturday 27th August) respectively.

As a National Hunt-only venue, Wexford will continue to stage its existing annual allocation of 11 fixtures in 2017. The three current Flat fixtures will become National Hunt fixtures, which will require some changes of code to meetings at other racecourses, while Wexford’s racing calendar may also need to be altered slightly.

HRI added: "The Wexford racecourse management have been fully consulted in the decision making process and are supportive of the change to become a National Hunt only venue, believing that the improved, left-handed circuit will enable them to upgrade the quality of their jumps programme over time."

MORE ON THIS STORY IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEKEND