Ayr Racecourse's final flat meeting of the season -
John Smith's Raceday on Saturday October 29 - will now be run
on the hurdles track and as a result there will be no races below
the distance of nine furlongs.
The British Horseracing Authority took the decision to transfer
the fixture to the hurdle course following heavy rainfall over the
last three weeks.
Ayr Clerk of the Course Emma Marley commented : "The heavy
rainfall onto a frequently raced-on surface has meant the flat
course has become unraceable with waterlogging creating false
patches of ground.
"Due to an inclement weather forecast, the Managing Executive
and BHA Inspectorate consider it necessary to switch flat racing to
the hurdle course in order to provide fresh ground and a raceable
surface for Saturday October 29.
"Races on the day have therefore been altered to accommodate
racing on this course and will be run over one mile, one furlong to
one mile, seven furlongs. There will be a maximum of 12 runners per
race.
"During the past three weeks we have recorded our highest amount
of monthly rainfall for the year with 187mm or 7.4 inches of rain
falling on the track, which is well above our October monthly
average of 112.5 mm."
One of the highlights of the afternoon will be the awards for
the top jockey, trainer and owner for the flat campaign at Ayr with
Paul Hanagan, Richard Fahey and Ken McGarrity leading their
respective championships.
Hanagan, on course for his second successive British Champion
Jockeys title, is likely to be in action along with other leading
riders including Tom Eaves, Phillip Makin and PJ McDonald.