CHESTER Racecourse will not feature any race meetings with hurdles this year, despite successful trials held last autumn.

Last October, hurdles were installed at the Roodee for a two-mile, two-lap series of tests.

Although there was a scare when one of the 10 Donald McCain-trained horses fell in the final flight – emerging unhurt – the trial was deemed a success.

At the time, Cholmondeley-based Grand National winning-trainer McCain said: “If a race is put on it will be a proper race for proper money. I’d be more than happy to bring my best horses.”

But this week it was revealed all race meetings this year will all take place without hurdles as Chester Race Company looks to further evaluate the concept, with a view to potentially introducing hurdle racing at a May meeting.

Chester Race Company chief executive Richard Thomas said: “Trialling hurdles last year was the first step of looking at the viability of the concept at Chester.

“I think we’ve shown it can be done, but want to talk about it quietly, when it’s not such an emotive issue. Our priority is to ensure if and when we do it, it is right for all concerned.

“A hundred years ago the May meeting used to finish with a hurdles race and that would be great to bring back, but ground conditions are key.”

There will be extra incentive for entrants this season as Chester Race Company has announced a significant increase to prize money.

A record high of £1,936,500 will be dished out, an increase of £262,498 on last year. The racecourse is also committed to ensuring no race will be run for less than £10,000.

Andrew Morris, Chester Race Company racing manager, said: “This continued investment in prize money has been made possible by the first season success of chesterBET, our in-house gaming division.

“One of the key aims of chesterBET was to ensure that after the sale of the Tote, the profits from this operation remained in racing.”

In addition, the racecourse has announced for the first time in its history, the May Festival will carry a title sponsor, Boodles. The jeweller has been a sponsor at Chester Racecourse for more than 10 years and each year has extended and increased its support.