Wolverhampton inspect as weather hits Ludlow

As the weather hit racing at Ludlow today, officials at Wolverhampton are upbeat over the prospects of racing this afternoon despite calling a precautionary inspection for 10am.

Sub-zero temperatures overnight left officials with no option but to abandon today’s meeting at Ludlow.

An inspection had been planned for 8.30am – but that would only have delayed the inevitable with no chance of the frost coming out of the ground in time for racing.

A course spokeswoman said: “We hit minus 9C overnight – we had only been forecast minus 3C.

“We seem to hit every bad morning at the moment, it is very disappointing.”

Clerk of the course at Wolverhampton Fergus Cameron said: “It is precautionary and we expect temperatures to rise to a minimum of 2C at the lower end of the forecast or 5C depending on what forecast you look at.

“On the basis of that we are very optimistic.

“However, as it got so cold overnight we need to take a look in case temperatures do not rise as they should.”

Racing goes ahead at Ayr this afternoon after the track passed a morning inspection.

Clerk of the course Emma Marley said: “We have passed the inspection and racing goes ahead.

“It got to zero overnight and it was dry. We’ve got a forecast of a risk of showers and 7C for later.”