Lingfield lose two races as abandonment issues continue

Racing’s abandonment issues have continued after two races on Lingfield’s Monday flat card did not go ahead following ground safety concerns on the final bend.

In the opening race of the afternoon, Cu Chulainn, ridden by William Buick, slipped when taking the final bend before being eased in the final two furlongs, finishing last of the seven runners.

This led to an inspection of the surface on the final bend, with jockeys and stewards deciding to abandon the two races to be run on the round track.

The final four races, all on the straight course, were allowed to go ahead at the Surrey venue.

It is now the fourth time in six days that racing has been abandoned due to ground issues, with the latest coming at Chester on Saturday, following similar abandonments at Beverley on Wednesday and Haydock on Friday as tracks struggle with a combination of a long dry spell followed by periods of heavy rain.

George Hill, Lingfield’s Clerk of the Course, spoke to Sky Sports Racing during the meeting, admitting he was at a loss to how the horse slipped in the race.

“It’s a difficult one – I haven’t prepared the track any differently than I would have done in the last few weeks,” he said.

“This is our fourth turf meeting this month and the track has been prepared the same way. It would’ve had more moisture on it today than for example three weeks ago.

“I’m scratching my head as to why that horse slipped in race one. It’s something we will review.

“Unfortunately, it’s just a situation where we have managed to lose race two and three as a result and I can only apologise to connections of those horses.”