Rain causes further disruption
Following another spell of unseasonably wet weather, racing has again been affected up and down the country.
Ascot were forced to cancel any race over 10 furlongs or further on Friday and Saturday due to significant rainfall since the Royal meeting.
And York’s ever-popular 48th John Smith’s Cup had to be reduced in distance to nine furlongs in order to be staged this weekend.
Even after taking that drastic measure, officials on the Knavesmire were on tenterhooks until the track came through a precautionary inspection at 7.45am, after being hit with more troublesome precipitation.
Racing took place on a wet afternoon on the Knavesmire on Friday, and after the course was hit with more rain overnight, clerk of the course William Derby was forced to take an early look.
A total of 14 millimetres of rain fell since the start of Friday’s card, leaving the ground officially heavy.
However, with a more encouraging forecast for today, Derby was able to give the meeting the go-ahead.
He said: “It’s good news as we’ve passed the inspection this morning and we are racing.
“We’re obviously heavy but the forecast is now for brighter and blustery weather.
“We’ve closed the centre of the Knavesmire and we’re not allowing cars to park there on the low-lying ground.”
Not so fortunate was Nottingham clerk of the course Nick Patton, who was forced to abandon Saturday’s meeting after the storm clouds arrived in force.
Patton said: “Unfortunately we’ve had to abandon due to waterlogging and areas of false ground on the straight course.
“We’ve had a total of 16 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours and we’re just not fit for racing – it was in the interests of safety to call it off.
“It’s very very unfortunate and this is a big loss for Nottingham as we have now lost our two most popular meetings of the year.
“It’s just very depressing for the whole team here at Nottingham.”
With once card already biting the dust this weekend, those hoping to attend Haydock on Sunday will be hoping the track passes a precautionary inspection at 7.00am tomorrow.
Last week’s popular three-day Old Newton Cup fixture was lost to the weather and conditions at the track are again described as heavy.
Explaining the situation, clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: “We’re holding a precautionary inspection at 7.00 after getting 16 millimetres of rain last night.
“We’re heavy at the moment. It is supposed to be mainly dry today, although it could be wetter tomorrow.”
