Nine set to race

Newton Abbot's card today was the only casualty over the weekend despite the wet weather that swept across Britain

Newton Abbot's card today was the only casualty over the weekend despite the wet weather that swept across Britain. The meeting at the Devon track was abandoned due to water-logging on Friday and the only other inspection planned for today's nine remaining cards is at Sedgefield.

Course officials will take a precautionary look at the track at 9.30 this morning after frost was forecast overnight.

The going at Hereford has been changed to heavy due to two inches of rain over the weekend but no inspection is planned.

A course spokesman said: "We've got heavy ground. There isn't an inspection planned but obviously we'll be keeping a close eye on everything.

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"We've changed the ground from soft to heavy and they'll not be jumping the last fence on the chase course."

However, officials are hoping that the rain relents. "Over the weekend we've had two inches of rain.

"If we were to get a lot more rain then that could call everything into question, we'll just have to see what the evening brings.

"The forecast is for showers but that was what it was for the whole weekend and we've had two inches. It depends on how heavy these showers are and how long they last."

Ayr was given the go-ahead after a 10 a.m. inspection yesterday. Clerk of the course Richard Pridham said: "We're fine, no problems. The going is heavy but soft in the home straight."

Stratford are to hold a further inspection at 9 a.m. tomorrow to decide if Thursday's scheduled meeting can go ahead.

Course manager Stephen Lambert walked the course at noon yesterday and while refusing to rule out the meeting declared the chances of racing were "very doubtful.

"Water is still lying on parts of the track and I would have to say we are very doubtful but we will hold another inspection at nine o'clock on Tuesday morning," he said.