Fairlop blow is a real loss to punters

When the verdict finally came it did so in time honoured government fashion.

Faxed through to Redbridge Council's HQ late yesterday afternoon, the announcement simply stated that the application to build a £100m racecourse 15 miles to the east of London at Fairlop Waters had been rejected.

Only those with rose-tinted binoculars expected a different outcome, but that hardly detracts from the sense of annoyance over an episode which has been a thorn in racing's side for far too long.

First off, this verdict denies thousands of racing fans in the capital an opportunity to see all-weather racing on 31 Thursday nights every year at a facility which promised to banish the fusty image that so many people think of whenever racing is mentioned.

Secondly, the fact that the wheels of government have turned so slowly during the 13-month public inquiry means that venues like Kempton and Newbury have had to place their plans for all-weather racing in mothballs.

Ironically, racing on sand has finally come of age in Britain this year.

The master Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien gave his seal of approval to Lingfield's new Polytrack surface by running his Kentucky Derby contender Castle Gandolfo at the Surrey venue in the spring, while leading juveniles like Romantic Liason, Elusive City and yesterday's Champagne Stakes winner Dublin have all used all-weather surfaces as a springboard to much bigger things.

Fairlop Waters was seen as a potential venue for Breeders' Cup trials, but the wait for Britain's first brand new racecourse since Taunton opened over 70 years ago is clearly far from over. Make no mistake, this is a serious blow for those who harbour dreams of seeing a metropolitan racecourse packed to the rafters with punters who love a good night out and aren't afraid to pay for it.