Ayr set to defeat elements
The National Hunt calendar in Britain has been wiped out since Thursday because of sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall,
Ayr’s meeting today, however, looks set to defeat the elements as the track was raceable on Sunday.
Clerk of the course Emma Marley said on Sunday morning: “It was 2C overnight and warmer temperatures have moved in.
“I think the weather on the west coast is better than anywhere else in the UK.”
Yesterday’s meetings at Musselburgh, and Kempton’s were hit by heavy snow while Fontwell had been abandoned on Saturday.
Wolverhampton’s meeting on the all-weather today is subject to a 6.30am precautionary inspection.
Saturday’s fixture at Dunstall Park was called off halfway through the card after heavy snowfall.
The snow is still on the track but groundstaff will undertake a huge operation to make the course raceable.
Tuesday’s meeting at Sedgefield is in far greater doubt, though, with a 12.30pm inspection having been called for today.
The course is currently frozen in places and under two to three inches of snow.
Frozen Market Rasen, who are also due to race on Tuesday, is covered by 15cm of snowfall.
Carlisle’s meeting on Wednesday is also in doubt due to a frozen track.
A 2pm inspection has been called for today, with snow on top of the frozen surface
Overnight temperatures have dipped to as low as minus 7C at the Cumbria venue.
Officials at Newbury, by contrast, hope their decisive early action in putting down frost covers will enable the course to beat the weather ahead of their big meeting on Saturday.
The likes of Long Run, Sprinter Sacre, Cue Card and Zarkandar are all due to turn up in Berkshire at the weekend for their final starts before the Cheltenham Festival.
