Hexham survives scare

This afternoon’s meeting at Hexham survived a 10am inspection after a cold night in Northumberland.

The check was not called until this morning as the freezing conditions took course officials by surprise.

“We dropped to minus three overnight and it is very cold,” said clerk of the course Jonnie Fenwicke-Clennell after calling the inspection.

“It has already begun to thaw by 8am though and as the first race is not until 2.30pm I would be very hopeful.”

And his optimism was not misplaced as the meeting was given the green light by the time Fenwicke-Clennell and his team assessed conditions at 10am.

“Racing goes ahead,” he said.