SOUTHWELL was spared an embarrassingly poor turnout at next Tuesday's jumps meeting when entries for the fixture swelled by more than double the original figure yesterday.

After all six races had to be reopened because of lack of entries, trainers responded by submitting an extra 39 names to the 29 declared at the five day deadline.

While only one horse was added to the two chases on the card, the hurdle races have been overwhelmed by entries, with the Yarmouth Novices Hurdle, which originally attracted just four, now boasting an entry of 18.

BHB race planner Stuart McTiernan said: "We are delighted with the response and hope the numbers hold up when the final declarations are made.

"It is hard to gauge the reasons behind the low turnout but we hope that the facility to re open races will ensure that there are adequate field sizes."

The Southwell meeting is the first since jump jockey Richard Davis died following a fall at the course. But the initial low turnout has been seized on as further evidence that there is too much racing.

However West Country trainer Philip Hobbs believes that summer jumping has exhausted the supply of top of the ground performers who once raced during the August and September months. He has three horses engaged at the meeting and he revealed that he has deliberately set aside a select team to exploit what he hopes will prove to be easier opportunities.

"It's nothing to do with Richard Davis and it is not simply because there is too much racing," he said. "The number of horses to race is just running out. A lot of horses that have been running in June or July have problems or need a break.

"In August and September there is double the amount of racing but not enough horses to go round. And I am sure the same situation will occur at other meetings during this period."