Gale-force winds win day at Musselburgh

Officials had been monitoring the weather all morning and felt it was safe to proceed with the meeting, but after jockeys had braved the gusts in the 2.20 – won by Silvestre De Sousa on Just Lille – they expressed concerns, and an inspection was called.

After finishing second on Sunnyside Tom, champion Jockey Paul Hanagan said: “It’s not good at all. It’s okay down the back but as soon as you turn into the straight, the wind hits you and it’s hard to keep them straight. I think we’ll be lucky to get through the card.”

Adrian Nicholls, after dismounting from Fremen, went further describing the conditions as “horrendous” while his colleague PJ McDonald said; “It’s very strong. You’d get blown off turning for home.”

A deputation of jockeys, trainers and clerek of the course Anthea Morshead held an initial inspection of the course, then agreed to take a second look at 3.20. But with the winds intensifying rather than subsiding the decision was taken to reluctantly abandon.

Morshead said: “The jockeys and trainers were unanimous that, although 98 per cent of the track was fine, the gusts were too much in the home straight.

“Much as was forecast, the wind speeds actually got higher. It’s a great shame for all concerned, but it is just one of those things.”

In what is a big week for Scottish racing, Pepper Lane is the new 10-1 favourite (from 12-1) with Betfred for Saturday’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup after it emerged that Hoof It will not be asked to carry the big burden of 10st 5lb in the big race.

The Mick Easterby-trained gelding, owned by golfer Lee Westwood and his manager Andrew “Chubby” Chandler, humped 10st to victory in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood. However, his two subsequent races have been in Group One contests, the Nunthorpe Stakes and Betfred Sprint Cup, and that is where his future lies.

The four-year-old was one of 34 horses withdrawn from the William Hill Gold Cup at the five-day confirmation stage. Other significant defectors towards the top of the handicap include 2009 winner Jimmy Styles, Doncaster Rover, Six Of Hearts, Tiddliwinks, Dafeef and New Planet. There are still a staggering 202 horses left in the race in which only 27 can run.

Pepper Lane heads the market with the sponsors at 10-1 as David O’Meara’s filly bids to follow up her victory in the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon. “Pepper Lane is fine and the plan is to run,” said O’Meara.

She was ridden by Danny Tudhope at Ripon last month while Silvestre de Sousa has also won on the four-year-old this season. No decision has yet been made as to who will be in the saddle on Saturday.

The Jim Goldie-trained Hawkeyethenoo, strongly-fancied 12 months ago when unplaced behind Redford, is already proving popular with sponsors and is a 16-1 chance.

William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said: “The William Hill Ayr Gold Cup is undoubtedly one of the most competitive betting heats of the calendar and this year is no exception. Pepper Lane and Hawkeyethenoo have been the most popular with the punters at this stage.”

Kanaf is prominent in the betting at 14-1, but he is only a possible runner after he finished sixth to Sirius Prospect over six and a half furlongs at Doncaster on Friday.

“I don’t think either the draw or the trip at Doncaster helped. There was a keenness to try from every aspect,” said trainer Ed Dunlop. “He’d been slowly away in his last two races, so we thought we’d try him over slightly further but I felt he didn’t stay the six and a half.

“He’s been left in the Ayr Gold Cup but that’s only a possible rather than a definite.”

Meanwhile, Christophe Soumillon will miss next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after receiving a 15-day suspension at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Belgian rider was hit with the lengthy ban after he was adjudged to have been responsible for the fall of Arrivederla in the Prix Al Wakra on Arc Trials Day. His mount, Glasshoughton, passed the post in first place, but was disqualified and placed last.