Exeter's Haldon Gold Cup Day, scheduled for November 6, and Wincanton's Badger Chase Day on November 7, have both been called off due to unsafe ground conditions.

The decision follows an exceptionally dry summer and continued low rainfall, leaving the ground too firm for jump racing.

A spokesperson for the Jockey Club said: "We’re incredibly sorry to share that Haldon Gold Cup Day at Exeter Racecourse on Friday 6th November and Badger Chase Day at Wincanton Racecourse on Saturday 7th November will no longer go ahead as planned."

The weekend’s feature races will now be moved to a two-day meeting at Aintree.

General admission ticket holders for the West Country Weekend will receive automatic refunds.

Hospitality guests and annual members will be contacted directly to discuss their options.

The racecourses apologised to fans for the disappointment and inconvenience caused.

The next race in Exeter is scheduled for Monday, November 16.