Newcastle still hopeful

Newcastle are ’still optimistic’ that tomorrow’s meeting will go ahead despite calling a second inspection for 8am.

Areas of the track are still frozen but clerk of the course James Armstrong is hoping the use of a tractor pulling a spiker around the track will help in the thawing process.

“Things have improved since this morning so we’ll have another look at 8am,” said Armstrong.

“The temperature hasn’t risen as much as was predicted though and it only reached 4C in the last hour but it’s overcast.

“But we don’t want the temperature to drop too sharply tonight.

“I would say three-quarters of the track is raceable but there are still areas which are hard. On those we are using a spiker and tractor to help the air get in.

“With a bit of luck we might see some rain too, which would help.”