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The second day of Chester racing was interrupted by a near two-hour deliberation over concerns about horses slipping on the turf, with jockey Tom Marquand refusing to ride. There was a lengthy delay while the stewards held an inspection and crunch talks over whether or not to postpone the day's racing, with several jockeys complaining about the conditions of the track. However, racing eventually got back underway after racing was suspended for over an hour and a half.

Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen had just celebrated a one-two finish in the 5f handicap as Roman Dragon pipped Dubai Bling, both trained by Hugo Palmer at Owen's local Manor House Stables in Malpas. However, the jockeys who competed in the race on Chester's Ladies Day were far from satisfied with the condition of the turf course, raising complaints that horses were losing their footing.

The entire course had been watered following day one of the meeting on Wednesday evening, with 3mm of water applied. BHA stewards announced: "There will be a delay prior to Race 2 at Chester as an inspection will be held following reports of slipping in race 1."

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Slipping on Chester race course is a big concern due to the course being a near continuous bend. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who rode Roman Dragon over the line, reported the dangerous track conditions on day two of the festival.

Speaking to ITV in his post-race interview, he said: "There were a few slips in the race. We'll be going to the stewards room and I'll have a chat with the clerk of the course. You don't want to see horses slipping."

Speaking on Sky Sports, former jockey Seb Sanders said: "The fact that three jockeys have complained makes it a concern.

"If we carry on and something happens we're there to be shot at and we don't want to see anyone or any horse get injured."

Jason Watson was among the other jockeys not happy with the conditions, and he said: "It's not ideal, I lost the horse's back end and I had to do what was right by the horse.

"A few of the boys said they slipped up after the line. The whole track is going to need a good look at. You can't always tell, the ground is nice enough. I don't know why it's the way it is, but we need to do something about it."

Tractors were spotted out on the track spraying sand in an attempt to make the conditions safe to race in. After a long wait, racing recommenced for the second race of the day, with loud cheers from the crowd.

Trainer Karl Burke said: "Basically, the main debate was horses were slipping, and jockeys were concerned. I think it was more the pull-up areas as much as anything, and obviously turning into the straight, a couple of the horses slipped, so obviously it was a concern to the jockeys.

"I think the main timescale, because they went round every jockey individually that was in there then every trainer, so it did take a little bit of getting to. And then there was obviously mixed views as well, some jockeys didn't want to carry on on that ground and others did. I am happy to run my horses, I just hope that this next race goes ahead without any incidents."

When asked if the jockeys should slow down, he said: "Sometimes when you are doing that, when you are dabbing the brakes whether it's in a car or on a horse that causes problems itself. You are better off free-flowing round. It's a thankless position for the clerk of the course to be in, she did put some water on last night.

"If you did have to criticise, you'd say it probably wasn't enough but that is in hindsight."

Elouise Quayle, Clerk at Chester, confirmed changes to the course after it was decided that racing would recommence. She said: "We have cut the bends shorter again. They were at three inches which is the standard racing length on the flat, we have taken another inch off that so if there is any risk of the grass lying flat at all, that should be mitigated.

"We have also done four passes with the sand, which has put a significant tonnage on. Essentially, creating as much friction as possible for the horses' feet."

Jockey Marquand, however, refused to race after the restart as trainer Maureen Haggas pulled Morshdi out of the running and said: "Tom says that the ground is dangerous and he is a nice horse. He could go to York next week, he's a nice horse and Tom is our jockey and I value is opinion.

"If he said it is dangerous, then it is dangerous. We had an incident where we had a similar situation and they went ahead and we ran a horse and he had a horrible fall and it ruined him basically."

Morshdi was not the only non-runner, with Rahiebb no longer running the 3.05pm Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes and High Storm pulling out of the 4.45pm Chester handicap.

The delayed 2.05pm race eventually got underway without any issues, with Donegal Rose, who is trained by Hugo Palmer at Michael Owen's stables, claiming the victory.