Tracks monitor weather ahead of big weekend meetings

Racing is praying for a respite from the wet weather ahead of a big weekend at Newbury and Newcastle.

Conditions at both tracks currently have heavy in the going description, but the north east venue has been having the worst of the rain.

Newcastle are set to stage their biggest meeting of the National Hunt season on Saturday, featuring what looks set to be a fantastic renewal of the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle.