Racing: Path points towards Ebor

GLIDE PATH was well-backed for the Ebor yesterday after an effortless success at Brighton. John Hills's colt could easily have doubled his two- length margin of victory in the Brighton Challenge Cup, and is now 16-1 for the York handicap on 18 August.

A four-pound penalty for yesterday's win will take Glide Path's weight at York to 7st 13lb, but his regular jockey, Michael Hills, will still be unable to make the weight and the ride will pass to his brother, Richard.

The British Horseracing Board announced yesterday that there will be no change in the number of fixtures for next year. Despite widespread calls for a reduction to reflect the diminishing racehorse population, the figure of 1,150 fixtures is the same as for 1993. Formed two months ago, the BHB feels it has had insufficient time to undertake major alterations. But Levy Board support for seventh races on cards is to be cut by 20 per cent, from 280 to 220.