Saturday's ITV Racing fixture at Haydock was significantly delayed after a hole was discovered in the track surface. The meeting, which featured two key Royal Ascot trials, was halted following an incident in the opening race.
The Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes was being run on the outer Flat course when the John and Thady Gosden-trained Friendly Soul, the hot favourite, appeared to take a false step approaching the two-furlong pole. Jockey Oisin Murphy immediately eased the filly, who was pulled up but walked back without requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Officials, including trainer John Gosden and jockey Duran Fentiman, inspected the area and found a hole in the track. A groundsman was able to push his arm into the hole up to his elbow. Clerk of the course Dan Cooper confirmed a significant drainage issue had caused the misstep and advised the BHA that the track was unsafe to race on.
Following a formal inquiry, the BHA stewards abandoned races two, five, and seven, which were scheduled to be run around bends. Races three, four, and six, including the Temple and Sandy Lane Stakes, were moved to the inner straight course at revised times. The inner track had been used for the previous two days and required inspection before racing could resume.
