Naas: slippery bend forces track to call off last two races amid safety concerns

Royal Ascot trials day, as it has been billed at Naas for a few years now, came to a premature close on Sunday, with the last two races being abandoned because of safety concerns over the slippiness of the home bend.

Track manager Tom Ryan said it was the first time in 92 years that a Flat meeting at the track had not been completed.

Following the first and second races Seamie Heffernan, Ryan Moore and Declan McDonogh reported to the stewards that the bend was slippy.

Stewards were happy for the remaining races on the straight track to take place, but after consulting clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan a decision was made to abandon the last two events.

Ryan said: "It's unfortunate. We're desperately disappointed to lose the last two races but time will hopefully allow us to get the bounce of the ball again.

"Everybody's safety is paramount and there'd be no point regretting something unfortunate happening."

He added: "It's the first time in 92 years we've failed to complete a Flat meeting. The riders who were wide on the bend reported it to be slippy. It wasn't the actual bend – the bend rode fine – but it was the underfoot conditions that were less than perfect."

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