Vandals force Ayr fence change

Ayr’s third-last fence is out of commission for Tuesday’s jumps meeting due to vandalism.

The obstacle was burnt down last month and although a portable replacement has been purchased, the affected area is not safe.

“Unfortunately the fence was burnt down last month. Petrol and scorched turf got on the ground so we had to dig it out and re-turf it,” said clerk of the course Emma Marley.

“That’s why we are having to bypass the area. We have purchase a portable fence to go in its place, but it’s just too new ground and too wet to get it on.

“Hopefully in the New Year we will be jumping every fence. We’ll play it by ear and see how the ground settles, but the fact we had to dig out a static fence that was burnt down and replace the ground is why it’s not feasible to race on that area.

“Being a city track and having housing estates around, we do suffer a bit of vandalism. It’s poor timing really.

“The going is soft at the moment. We are having a couple of breezy days at the moment with rain arriving on Tuesday.”