AYR Racecourse will host the first race meeting in Scotland since the sport was suspended three months ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subject to Scottish Government approval the course will stage a valuable card next week behind closed doors with strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety of competitors and staff.

Measures include jockeys changing in the trackside marquee, which has been equipped with cubicles allowing riders to observe social distancing procedures.

Everyone entering the course will be subject to temperature testing and anyone required to enter the parade ring will have to wear a mask.

The behind closed doors fixture on Monday, June 22, will feature the EBF Land O’Burns Fillies’ Stakes, a Listed Race over five furlongs which carries a prize fund of £30,500.

Some top horses have won this over the years and the most successful trainer in this contest is Henry Candy, who has saddled the winner three times including last year when Rebecca Rocks stormed to victory under two-time champion jockey Paul Hanagan.

Up to 17 runners will go to post for the Land O’Burns and top trainers including Michael Dods, Keith Dalgleish, Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan could all have runners.

The main supporting race is a Class 2 contest over one mile two furlongs while there are also two Class 3 races among the nine race card.

Ayr Racecourse managing director, David Brown, said: “All going well the Scottish Government will give the go ahead on Thursday for the meeting to take place on Monday.

“We have been working hard to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants and are looking forward to being the first racecourse in Scotland to stage a fixture since lockdown. The last time we raced at Ayr was on March 7 so it has been a long wait.”

Ayr is also due to race on July 6, 13, 14, 20 and 28 and also on August 5 and 12.

Fixtures after that, including the Ayr Gold Cup in September, could see crowds finally being allowed back.