Towcester attracted only ten entries for their 24-runner Marathon Trophy worth £10,000 to the winner. They will run a one-of event for £500.
Racing manager Andy Lisemore said: “We always suspected that 24 was a big ask but were prepared to run it for 12. As it turned out, we were struggling for them.
“Although the sickness has now pretty much gone, it put back the preparation of a number of potential entries and understandably nobody wants to turn up half-cooked for a marathon. Nor did we want to include local graders who would have been completely out of their depth bearing in mind those who are taking part.
“But out of respect for those who did enter, we’ve put on a six-runner event. We are still hopeful of running the full competition later in the year though as to when that would be, I don’t have a clue.”
