Epsom Spring meeting to be delayed a week

The scheduled meeting at Epsom on Tuesday will now take place a week later, on April 28, due to an ongoing issue with the irrigation system.

More details on the full card will follow with the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial remaining as the feature race of the day.

Having discovered a burst in the irrigation system, watering has been unable to take place since Monday (the 13th). A solution which would have allowed for watering to recommence on Sunday (19th) in time for racing has met with a technical issue and it is not expected that watering will be able to continue until Tuesday (21st) at the earliest.

With current ground and weather conditions and Epsom’s unique track topography, watering is currently required to create an acceptable racing surface for an early season trials fixture. As such, in conjunction with the BHA, the decision has been taken that racing will not take place before watering can recommence.

Once watering can recommence, there will be an updated going report as soon as possible ahead of racing on April 28, and looking ahead for the Betfred Derby Festival in early June.

All tickets will be transferred to this fixture, with full refunds available to those who cannot make the new date.

Jim Allen, General Manager at Epsom,said: ‘We are as disappointed as anyone that we cannot begin our season in its usual slot, but providing the best racing conditions is paramount, and we hope staging the fixture a week later should not impact too much on horses and connections plans for early season targets whilst allowing an opportunity to gain vital experience of Epsom’s unique track.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be happy to issue refunds to those who cannot make the new date."