Safety limits down as Ayr Flat track reopens following Gold Cup washout
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."
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
TIMELINE
September
Entire Gold Cup meeting lost due to waterlogging
October
Remaining Flat meetings of 2017 are run on hurdles course
November
Responding to the course's report into the Gold Cup abandonment, the BHA warns Ayr to improve its communications
April
Drainage work on the Flat course not completed in time for the track's first Flat meeting of 2018
May
Racing resumes on the Flat course
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Published on 22 May 2018inPreviews
Last updated 18:25, 21 May 2018
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