Grounds for concern dampen the mood

IT IS not just punters and racegoers who are fed up with inaccurate going descriptions in racing. Some trainers and jockeys are beginning to flag up the major problem, too.

Haydock and Beverley were the two showcase meetings that dominated ITV’s racing coverage yesterday but both racecourses had meetings abandoned during the week because of unsafe ground at some of the sharp bends.

How can any punter who watched the racing over the week at those two tracks have any degree of confidence in having a bet at either of those racecourses yesterday?

Ground is a crucial factor when it comes to studying form and placing a bet. It’s even more vital for trainers to have an accurate guide to the ground so they know how suitable it is for their horses.

When Haydock was called off after just two races on Friday night when a small shower of rain caused the bend to be too slippery after experienced jockeys voiced their concern, trainer Richard Hughes tweeted: ‘This has been going on at Haydock for 10 years at least. The ground is rarely what it is called.’

If some trainers have mistrust in certain clerks for overwatering or giving out inaccurate ground descriptions then how can punters have any confidence in putting their hard-earned cash down?

One day at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, watered ground was described as good-to-soft hours before a consistent downpour turned it into a bog, and champion trainer Paul Nicholls was dismayed.

Last year’s Oaks was run in Somme-like conditions at Epsom when they overwatered before the rain came. And Chester had to postpone their last three races yesterday due to the exact same issue that plagued Beverley and Haydock.

Essentially, as a track dries, sharp bends become slippery because underneath the grass the ground has been overwatered, and that water rises to the surface.

Punters have bemoaned inaccurate conditions for a while. Now, it’s downright dangerous.