ASCOT have been forced to make a big change to their star-studded Champions Day – with more rain and Storm Babet set to hammer the course.
Downpours have meant some of the track has been given a 'heavy' going description.
This means for three of the races on Champions Day they will be moved to the inner hurdles course, where the going is slightly better.
The three races affected are the Long Distance Cup, the Fillies and Mares Stakes and the blockbuster Champion Stakes.
This is just the second time the inner round course has been used since Champions Day was introduced in 2011.
It is normally reserved for hurdles races through the winter.
A statement from Ascot read: "The going on the round course is now soft, heavy in places.
"Following verification from an independent panel and agreement that this will not improve before raceday, the three round course races will switch to the inner flat course.
"This is as per the race conditions which state that in the event of 'heavy' appearing in the going description, the races will switch to the inner flat course.
"The going on the inner flat course is currently good to soft, soft in places."
Most read in Horse Racing
SAD LOSS
Owner says ‘heartbroken doesn’t come close’ after horse dies in voided race
FIVER FLUTTER
This 14-1 shot headlines three big Newcastle picks to bash the bookies
TEMPLEGATE’S TIPS
My 3-1 NAP has to be backed for trainer in flying form at Newcastle
BAID DAY
Hot-headed owner removes his horses from Andrew Balding claiming he ‘isn’t lucky’
The change means the Group 2 Long Distance Cup, where star stayers Kyprios and Trueshan will lock horns, has been reduced by 82 yards to 1m7f 127 yards.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
And the same shortening of the race is true for the Filles and Mares, which will be run over 1m3f 133 yards.
The torrential rain has placed havoc with Friday's fixtures.
Fakenham, Haydock and Uttoxeter have been forced to abandon their cards with parts of the tracks flooded.
Market Rasen's Saturday meeting has already been cancelled due to a waterlogged track.
While Stratford have had to admit defeat and scrap their raceday too.
It means five fixtures over just two days have been cancelled as Britain braces for more stormy wet weather over the weekend.
One person whose spirit won't be dampened, at least, is Frankie Dettori.
Read More on The Sun
moving on
MAFS star Shona finds love with another show star – who’s married to rival bride
HAIR ME OUT
Beauty pro says you've been shaving your legs all wrong, here's her method
The world's most famous jockey is bringing the curtain down on his career in the UK with a strong final book of rides at the track that made him a superstar.
Dettori, 52, will race in the US next year, although bookies make it 1-10 he'll back at Ascot next June for the Royal meeting.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
