Towcester received 41 entries for the Bet365 Empress Stakes, seven short of the advertised number, but have opted to go with eight heats rather than cut back to 36 runners.
Racing Manager Andy Lisemore said: “To be honest, looking at the congestion in the Calendar, we were surprised to get 41. We could have reduced it to 36 but that hardly seemed fair to the five who would have missed out so we decided to go with seven five-runner heats and one with six. First three to qualify.”
Among the most notable names are the recent British Bred Oaks winner Fabulous Azurra, who will be looking to add to litter brother Romeo Magico. Frank Gray’s prolific Makeit For Waz is another who will attract plenty of local support along with the highly rated Magical Firebird.
