Massive delay to Ayr races with entire Gold Cup card in threat of being ABANDONED after torrential rain floods track

SportHorse Racing THERE is a massive delay to Ayr’s Gold Cup card – with the entire meeting under threat of being abandoned – after torrential rain flooded the track. A second inspection has been called for 1.45pm after an initial one at 12.20pm proved inconclusive. Groundsmen were out in the middle of the track as inspections were called to determine whether racing could go ahead on their big day of the year If racing goes ahead then the first race will be off at 2.20pm – an hour later than planned. Sun Racing’s Matt Chapman reported journalists and broadcasters had been ordered off the track as they attempted to find out what was going on. Footage of one person standing in the middle of the Scottish racecourse showed their wellies submerged in water. The meeting is Ayr’s big one of the year, highlighted by the mega-money Gold Cup over 6f scheduled for 3.40pm. Some 25 runners are set to go to post, spearheaded by William Haggas’ favourite Binhareer. But whether the race, worth a shade under £100,000 to the winner, goes ahead is now in serious jeopardy. The Gold Cup meeting started on Thursday and the ground has been getting progressively worse. The going, which was changed just before 11am today and came after 8.5mm of rain had hammered the track, is now heavy . Most read in Horse Racing Bbut whether it is safe enough to race on remains to be seen, especially given standing water was visible on the turf roughly half a furlong from the finishing line. More to follow. Comment now