Flat plan jumps gun

Trainers yesterday expressed disappointment at Nottingham racecourse's plan to discontinue jump racing. Five of its National Hunt fixtures will be switched elsewhere, with the remaining four changed to Flat cards.

David Nicholson, the leading trainer at the course, said: "It is a good track. I am disappointed by the move." Owen Brennan, second to Nicholson in the lists, said: "It is a damn good course, they get plenty of runners and it is a good track for novices as there is plenty of room."

Cheltenham yesterday confirmed that the National Hunt Festival is to remain a three-day meeting, despite the success of racing on a fourth day this year.