Tracks respond to abandonments

Ayr and Sandown officials vowed to do whatever it takes to ensure their respective meetings go ahead next Thursday.

Both tracks endured a black Wednesday after false ground led to the abandonment of racing in Scotland and in Esher.

Ayr’s fixture was called off before the first race, while Sandown’s evening meeting was abandoned after three contests.

Both venues are due to race again on Thursday, with Sandown set to stage their valuable Brigadier Gerard meeting on the evening.

Ayr’s executive have already called an inspection next Tuesday to ensure Wednesday’s events represent a one-off.

General manager William Gorol said: “We regret what happened and are doing everything possible to ensure racing goes ahead next Thursday. There will be an inspection of the track on Tuesday.

“Despite the abandonment, trainer Jim Goldie chose to gallop three horses over the ground and reported that none changed their action and he saw nothing wrong with the ground.”

Sandown officials are also confident of normal business being resumed by next week.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: “We’re racing here next Thursday night and the rail was always going to be moved in six yards onto a gentler configuration.

“I think the ground will benefit from additional spiking and will benefit from being opened up a bit.

“I’m comfortable going forward that this is not going to be a recurring issue - it’s the first time I’ve experienced this in a long time.

“We’ve had occasionally the odd horse that’s slipped on the bend, but never anything like this. One is hugely disappointed when you have this end to a day’s racing. As the jockeys have said, normally the bends here ride well.

“We take a lot of time in our preparation of the track and I was not anticipating it,” Cooper told Racing UK.

Ayr’s situation flared up because of an area of false ground three and a half furlongs from the finish, and about three metres in from the far rail.

A deputation including jockeys, trainers and track officials staged a hastily-arranged inspection, after which the decision was taken to abandon.

It was a similar story at Sandown, where several jockeys expressed unease at the slippery nature of the bend turning for home.

Although the affected area was sanded, a prolonged inspection after the third race served up the news that the meeting also needed to be abandoned.

Racegoers at Sandown were offered a 50% refund, while those in attendance at Ayr are guaranteed free entry for a future meeting.