GOLD CUP SWITCH A BONUS FOR PUNTERS

The saying about an ill-wind blowing no good is certainly relevant when it comes to the Beast from the East doing punters a favour.

The switching of the first round of the Astute Gold Cup to Sunday night will mean a bonus for open race followers with the meeting now due to be covered by both RPGTV and the betting shops taking the BAGS service.

Towcester GM Kevin Ackerman said: “We originally looked at putting the first round back a week, but that would have led to a clash with the Trainers Championship meeting and if we had put that back a week there would have been implications for the Scottish Derby.

“We still don’t know that Sunday is the right decision but we’ve looked at the weather forecast and consulted with the trainers and it seems the best available option.”