Safety limits down as Ayr Flat track reopens following Gold Cup washout

Graeme Anderson: looking forward to his first day as clerk of the course

Graeme Anderson: glad that racing is backCredit: David Carr

Racing finally resumes on the Flat track at Ayr on Tuesday for the first time since a drainage problem caused the whole Gold Cup meeting to be called off last September.

Races have a reduced safety limit of 12 as there is insufficient grass coverage in part of the area that was waterlogged.

A combination of bad weather and the need to switch contractors was blamed for the track not being ready to stage its two-day Flat meeting scheduled for April 30/May 1.

Tuesday's Ayr card and betting

This two-day meeting kicks off with 86 runners contesting eight races and clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said: "Getting racing is the main thing.

"We have lowered the safety factor to 12 because there is a bit on the Tesco side of the track that is still a bit bare so we've had to narrow in. I'd like to think we'll open it back up for our June Saturday, which is three meetings away. We're getting the heat and the grass growth now.

"It's been a long eight months, doing the drainage work in the worst conditions possible then not having a spring at all."

Not even a hovering helicopter could dry out Ayr's damp patch last SeptemberCredit: David Carr

Local trainer Jim Goldie, who has trained more winners at Ayr than anyone else in the last five years, is delighted the Flat track has reopened.

"Hopefully the new drainage scheme will keep it right for a long time to come," he said. "It's got to settle and time will help but it's good to get it back."

Watch: Jim Goldie win the Ayr Silver Cup with Jack Dexter