Ayr Racecourse switches flat meeting to hurdles track

Oct 28 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Racecourse stages its final flat meeting of the season, the John Smith's Raceday on Saturday, and because of heavy ground all races will be run on the hurdles track.

Principal race is the John Smith's No Nonsense Handicap over one mile one furlong. Tim Easterby's mud loving Amethyst Dawn in the hands of David Allan could be the one to be on here.

And the John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap over the marathon one mile seven furlongs looks to be a great opportunity for Michael Dods The Oil Magnate to add to a September course win.

Clerk of the course Emma Marley said: “The heavy rainfall onto a frequently raced-on surface has meant the flat course has become unraceable with waterlogging creating false patches of ground. Due to an inclement weather forecast, the Managing Executive and BHA Inspectorate consider it necessary to switch flat racing to the hurdle course in order to provide fresh ground and a raceable surface for Saturday, October 29. Races on the day have therefore been altered to accommodate racing on this course and will be run over one mile one furlong to one mile seven furlongs. There will be a maximum of 12 runners per race.

“During the past three weeks we have recorded our highest amount of monthly rainfall for the year with 187mm or 7.4 inches falling on the track, which is well above our October average of 112.5 mm.”

One of the afternoon highlights will be the awards for top jockey, trainer and owner for the flat campaign at Ayr with Paul Hanagan, Richard Fahey and Ken McGarrity leading their championships.

First race is due off at 1.50pm with the last race at 5.15pm.