Lingfield latest track to encounter ground issues on a bend

Two races abandoned following inspection by officials, jockeys and trainers.

Lingfield became the latest venue to encounter safety issues, with two races on the round course abandoned on Monday following a scare for William Buick in the opener.

Following on from Beverley on Wednesday, Haydock on Friday evening and Chester on Saturday, yet another meeting was in the news for the wrong reasons.

It was Buick’s mount Cu Chulainn who lost his footing in the Download The At The Races App Handicap, with the Classic-winning rider and his mount fortunate to stay upright as the field turned into the straight.

A deputation of jockeys, trainers and officials went to inspect the suspect area as rain continued to fall on ground described as good to firm. The decision was subsequently taken to abandon the next two races on the round course with racing resuming with race four, the Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over seven furlongs.

Trainer George Baker was part of the delegation inspecting the track and said: “I think it’s the result of a very unfortunate number of factors for all involved.

“George Hill (clerk of the course) does an excellent job at Lingfield, but we’ve had a bit of rain and the jockeys’ opinion holds a lot more opinion than mine and even I could see horses had slipped on that bend in the first race.

“You could see where William’s horse had slipped and it was a no-brainer to cancel the other races round the bend.

“It’s unfortunate that this seems to be happening, for whatever reason, too often at the moment, but wiser people than me will work out why that is.”

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