Ascot and Haydock officials ‘optimistic’ of racing
Both courses are holding precautionary inspections at 8am, but staff are hopeful they will get the go-ahead.
Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels said this afternoon: “We’re soft, heavy in places. I was quite optimistic this time yesterday and I remain as optimistic.
“We had three millimetres of rain first thing this morning. It stopped at 10am.
It’s been fairly windy all morning, but we’ve had no rain since.
“We are due some steady rain tonight and tomorrow morning.”
The fixture at the Berkshire venue features the Victor Chandler Chase, while Haydock also have a decent card, the highlight of which is the Peter Marsh Chase.
The going at the Merseyside track is heavy.
“We’ve had about five millimetres of rain today. Hopefully it has finished and will be dry until the middle of the day tomorrow when we might get another three,” said clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright.
“On that basis we are pretty optimistic.”
Those two courses could well go against the grain this weekend. Today’s meeting at Wincanton has been abandoned along with Sunday’s jumps fixtures at Market Rasen and Towcester.
Wolverhampton’s all-weather card will be the only British action on Sunday as Market Rasen failed to pass an 8am inspection while Towcester was called off after a 9am check.
