racing_news/


Top Trainers and Jockeys at Ayr
10/03/05
AYR holds the first of its two day pre-Cheltenham March meeting today (Friday) with large fields and some competitive racing in prospect.

The seven race card gets under way at 2.00 pm and a host of Cheltenham bound trainers and jockeys will be at the Craigie track en route to the biggest jumps festival of the year.

Graham Lee continues his comeback from injury with three mounts, and leading northern jumps jockey Tony Dobbin is also riding along with Warren Marston, Brian Harding and Ritchie McGrath.

There’s also a welcome return to Ayr for Alan Dempsey who suffered horrific facial injuries after a fall at Ayr in December.

The freelance jockey split his jaw in two, lost five teeth and broke both eye sockets and underwent extensive surgery to repair the damage. He has two mounts including one on Lampion du Bost, owned by former Rangers players Billy Dodds and Craig Moore in the Norwich Union Novices Handicap Hurdle.

The Ayr Executive have recently been encouraging Irish trainers to send runners to the course and this has been rewarded with four trainers sending a total of six  runners.

Ayr clerk of the course Anthea Morshead reports that the ground has dried out considerably since the February meeting and says the going is good to soft, soft in places on the back straight and good in places in the home straight.

She added : “There’s to be a little rain overnight but nothing too bad and a wind is forecast so the going should remain unaltered..”

Bars and restaurants open two hours before racing and for further information you can visit www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or call 0870-8505666.

IRISH THEME TO AYR’S TWO DAY MARCH MEETING
Monday March 7, 2005

AYR’S two day March meeting this week will have a real Irish feel as the Craigie track is promoting Friday and Saturday’s racing as a pre-Cheltenham affair.

And on Saturday in particular there will be a real touch of the blarney with plenty of Guinness on tap in the bars and restaurants, cockles and mussels being given away and a couple of Irish bands playing.

For the racegoer wanting his card marked for Cheltenham a special forum will be held in the paddock before racing featuring a top racing journalist, a trainer and a jockey.

This will be the second year in a row Ayr has held a pre-Cheltenham Forum and a large crowd is expected with many Irish punters en route to the big meeting likely to stop off at the Ayrshire track.

Friday’s seven race card is  sponsored by Giles Insurance with the £12,000 added Giles Financial Handicap Chase for the Arthur Challenge Cup over three miles and one furlong the feature on the day. Lenny Lungo has Huka Lodge and Mr Auchterlonie entered while Ferdy Murphy is expected to run Has Scored.

Saturday’s racing also features seven events with the £12,000 added Allied Irish Bank (GB) Handicap Chase for the Hugh Barclay Challenge Trophy over two miles an interesting contest.

Ayr Racecourse General Manager William Gorol said :“ With Cheltenham very much on everyone’s minds at the moment we felt it would be great to have a real pre Cheltenham theme over the two days.

“We are delighted to welcome Giles Insurance as our sponsors on Friday and the Allied Irish Bank on Saturday and we look forward to a great weekend.”

First race both days is at 2.00 pm and bars and restaurants open two hours before racing. For further information go online at www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or telephone 0870-8505666.

Ayr To Host Cheltenham Gold Cup Lunch 08/03/05
CHELTENHAM comes to Ayr Racecourse next week when the Craigie track hosts a Gold Cup Lunch in the Roman Warrior Restaurant on Friday March 18.

£35 Million Plans For Ayr Racecourse Get Green Light
Tuesday February 1, 2005
A £35 million plan to upgrade Ayr Racecourse by building a casino, multiplex cinema,  hotel and conference facility was granted outline planning permission yesterday.

Ayr Racecourse Aids Tsunami Appeal
Tuesday February 1, 2005
AYR Racecourse has raised a whopping £4200 for the Tsunami Disaster Appeal thanks to the kind hearted racegoers who attended last Saturday’s Burns Meeting at the Craigie track.