Drookit York A Complete Washout

Aug 24 2008 Joe Punter

IN common with most other punters I suffered from a severe bout of premature anticipation this week.

Four days of York to savour, four days of top class sport and I had managed to blag my way onto a wee jolly at the Knavesmire.

Just so happens it was to be on day one - Tuesday - so the wrecking crew made its way south in Old Sammy's jalopy for some fun and frolics.

No inspection planned was the official line as we set out. All systems go, screamed the Racing Post front page headline on Tuesday morning.

As it turned out there would have been more chance of ice-skating hippos cutting a rug in George Square than any action on the lake that was York.

Now this is just not sour grapes - okay, maybe just a tad - but what on earth were the racecourse executive playing at by not coming clean on prospects for racing.

Sure, I know that the Ebor meeting is the icing on their Eccles cake and that they wanted to maximise attendances, but dear oh dear. Yon pre-pubescent wee Brit diver Tom Daley could have set up a platform and given a performance, so bad were the conditions.

I know overnight rain on Monday contributed to the cancellation but why did the executive give out such positive vibes when the course was wetter than an audience for a James Blunt (left) concert?

All their profits and costs are insured - pity the same can't be said for the poor sods like me who took them at their word and made the trek to Lake Windermere - sorry, the Knavesmire.

GOT a racing query? Write to Joe Punter, Sports Desk, Sunday Mail, Glasgow, G3 8DA, or email joepunteratsundaymail.co.uk.