Trials take place at Yarmouth ahead of return

Trainer Mark Tompkins feels Yarmouth requires "a bit of fine-tuning" ahead of the track's proposed return to the racing calendar on June 8th.

The Norfolk circuit closed in September 2014 as parts of the course were deemed unfit.

Despite the track undergoing remedial work to the cost 300,000 pounds, the delayed return of racing Yarmouth last August was short-lived.

The fixture on September 16th was abandoned due to safety concerns with three races left to run, after which the track's owners, Arena Racing Company (ARC), cancelled the final two meetings of an abbreviated campaign.

The 2016 meetings in April and May were moved elsewhere to give the turf more time to mature, and Tompkins, who worked some of his string on a trial day at Yarmouth on Tuesday, feels the track is "nearly there, but not quite".

"It's got a good cover of grass and they've tried very hard," said the Newmarket handler, who was joined at the course by fellow trainers William Haggas, Julia Feilden, Chris Dwyer and John Ryan.

"The jockeys said it was quite slippy, though, so they've got to do a bit of fine-tuning and a little bit more remedial work.

"I think it's nearly there, but not quite - you've got to remember they've dug up 100 years of turf and the new turf has only been down a year.

"I think they'll be able to race if they sort the bend out, but safety is the most important thing.

"I want it back as soon as possible as it's a great track for Newmarket trainers."

Fellow Newmarket trainer Dwyer described the new turf like riding on "a carpet".

He said: "I worked four horses over six furlongs and I rode one of them.

"I started easing one of them up a furlong from home and I had no problems with slipping or anything like that.

"It's a lovely, level track - like a carpet - and I'd have no qualms about racing returning there next month."

Jockeys in action at the track included Pat Cosgrave, Saleem Golam, Frederik Tylicki and former rider Michael Hills, who was supervising the Haggas string.

ARC racing operations director Jon Pullin said further remedial work will be undertaken ahead of Yarmouth's first meeting, but is confident the racecourse would be "ready for racing".

He said: "We were very pleased to receive positive feedback about the home straight from the jockeys and trainers who were part of the trial gallop this afternoon.

"The investment ARC has made in levelling the turf has made the home straight a better racing surface.

"We will be carrying out some additional work on the turf beyond the finish line in order to give jockeys full confidence when pulling up.

"There will be additional trial gallops in the coming days where we will receive further feedback from jockeys and trainers who we would like to thank for their ongoing assistance.

"Subject to successful further gallops, we expect to be ready for racing on June 8th."