Salisbury cancels Tuesday twilight meeting due to infestation of chafer grubs

Salisbury has become the second course in two days to be forced to cancel its meeting due to an infestation of chafer grubs.

The decision to cancel Tuesday's twilight meeting was made in the morning following an inspection, with Epsom's Thursday fixture having been cancelled on Monday night due to the same problem.

But while Epsom had chafer grubs trouble in 2009 and 2010, Salisbury clerk of the course Jeremy Martin said it was the first such difficulties he has experienced in 18 years at the Wiltshire track.

"This morning we discovered areas of loose turf on the loop section of the course," he reported. "There was no previous indication of any kind of problem. We believe it to be chafer grubs, and it appears to have happened overnight.

"In my 18 years here this is a first. In the interests of safety we've had to call off the meeting. Safety comes first."

Salisbury races again on Friday and the card will take place on the straight course only, with Martin and a dozen-strong team examining the surface, and being satisfied it was unaffected by the chafer grubs infestation.

The card will comprise four of the five straight-course races due to be run on Tuesday, along with the four straight-course races scheduled for Friday.

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