Ripon to inspect tomorrow

The forecast of dry weather from mid-afternoon today has given Ripon hope that tomorrow’s meeting featuring the Great St Wilfrid Handicap might yet go ahead.

An inspection this morning at the North Yorkshire track was “inconclusive” and officials will have another look at the course at 7.30am tomorrow.

“The inspection was inconclusive really so we are going to have another look in the morning. There are one or two areas in the final furlong that are pretty saturated and giving us cause for concern,” said clerk of the course James Hutchinson.

“We are forecast to get between five and eight millimetres more rain today. If we get the lower estimate then we feel we would have a chance.

“The forecast is for rain until mid-afternoon and then for it to be dry right through until after racing tomorrow.”

The going is described as soft, heavy in places.