WORCESTER Racecourse have confirmed the dates for their 2013 National Hunt programme.

Pitchcroft will host a total of 21 meetings between April and October next year, four more than in 2012.

The extra fixtures have been moved to Worcester following the planned closures by owners Arena Leisure and Northern Racing of the tracks at Hereford and Folkestone at the end of this year.

It is welcome news for the city venue which was at the centre of a prize money dispute in July when all but one horse was withdrawn from a race because it fell below the agreed tariff.

Arena Leisure and Northern Racing gave an assurance at the time that all their 2013 races would meet the tariff.

Flooding of the River Severn also had an impact on the course during the 2012 season with a meeting cancelled in September.

A spokesman for Arena Leisure and Northern Racing said: “It’s a boost for the course so we are looking forward to next season.

“It’s well supported by trainers and it’s a popular track.

“We are delighted to have more races there.”

Fixtures — April: Tuesday 30 (evening); May: Sunday 12 and Wednesday 22nd (evening); June: Saturday 1, Thursday 6 (evening), Tuesday 11 (evening), Sunday 23 and Wednesday 26 (afternoon); July: Wednesday 3 (afternoon), Wednesday 10 (evening), Wednesday 17 (evening), Wednesday 24 (afternoon) and Tuesday 30; August: Tuesday 13 (afternoon), Monday 19, Tuesday 20 (evening) and Wednesday 28 (afternoon); September: Tuesday 10 (afternoon) and Friday 27 (evening); October: Thursday 10 (afternoon) and Wednesday 23 (afternoon).