I have been banging on for a long time now that all tracks should move to padded foam hurdles. A horse can easily put a leg through the traditional birch hurdles and especially when tired and not getting quite so high, be tripped and brought down. The foam pads negate this and bring obvious saftey improvements. Nearly all trainers us the foam hurdles at home for this reason and it is great to see a grade 1 track brave enough to make the change.

Seamus