Racing goes ahead on day four of Royal Ascot following torrential rain

PA Sport Reporters
June 18, 2021 12:57 pm

Downpours led to officials checking course at lunchtime.

The fourth day of Royal Ascot will go ahead as planned after the track passed a lunchtime inspection.

A total of 26 millimetres of rain had fallen the Berkshire venue up to 11am, turning the ground from good to firm on Thursday to soft, heavy in places.

Some areas of false ground caused concern for officials, with clerk of the course Chris Stickels calling a 12.45pm inspection to assess the chances of racing going ahead and Ascot outlining contingencies for cancellation, which included provision for a 10-race card on Saturday.

Track check! @FrankieDettori and @oismurphy walk the @Ascot course as we await the inspection… pic.twitter.com/hKUmdGkQDB
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2021

However, following a lengthy assessment of conditions by a delegation of officials, trainers and jockeys, the fixture was given the green light.

A report from the stewards read: “An inspection was held as a result of concerns over the ground following significant overnight rainfall. Riders, Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy and Ryan Moore; Trainers; Aidan O’Brien, Ralph Beckett, and Richard Hannon; the Clerk of the Course representing the Managing Executive, the BHA Senior Course Inspector, and the BHA Director of Equine Health and Welfare were interviewed.

“Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that racing could commence.”