Bitterley clash looming after Ludlow switch

Ludlow are on a collision course with Bitterley Point-to-Point after the Shropshire racecourse had their Sunday fixture moved to the weekend after the Grand National.

That date has already been fixed by the nearby point-to-point course but it was not until publication of the long awaited 2010-11 fixtures that the clash became known.

Normally, Ludlow have their profitable Sunday fixture at the end of April, but their clerk of the course and secretary Bob Davies said: "The problem is because where Easter falls next year.

"Normally we have our Sunday fixture at the end of April, but that is when Easter falls and we have been moved."

The problem for both tracks, only five miles apart, is that they attract the same audience so going head-to-head on April 17 next year would cause havoc of their gate figures.

Davies added: "Our fixture will have to go ahead on that day because it is now in the calendar and we have to fulfil that obligation."

It looks certain that Bitterley will have to move their date if they are to avoid a clash.

As exclusively revealed some months ago, Bangor will be staging a meeting on Grand National day but clerk of the course Ed Gretton insisted: "This is strictly a one-off situation."

Bangor had applied for Grand National day because they were in the same situation as Ludlow with the Easter programme and they did not want to lose a fixture.

Gretton said: "Other courses have raced on Grand National day and have been successful and we are confident that we will get the support of local people and our normal clients.

"The race programme will be timed around the Grand National and we will have a large screen on the course so that our racegoers can see the race as well as have a bet with bookmakers or the Tote."