Royal Ascot at risk of being abandoned after torrential rain as bookies predict racing will NOT go ahead

ROYAL ASCOT is at risk of being abandoned today due to the torrential rain.

Bookies are currently predicting that racing on day four will NOT go ahead.

Already at the time of writing there have been a massive 18 horses named non-runners.

And more could be pulled out as rain continues to hammer the Berkshire track.

Betfair currently have racing today as 6-5 to go ahead, and 4-7 not to go ahead.

However, it is hoped an easing in conditions will allow racing to continue and 12,000 punters to enjoy the action.

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels explained the situation to ITV this morning – and later admitted the day’s action was ‘at risk’.

He said water was starting to ‘puddle’ on the course after 20mm of rain between yesterday and early this morning.

Stickels said: “I’m about to walk the course now with stewards, which is a standard course of action.

“I understand water is starting to puddle out there in the odd place. The rain has been torrential.

“It’s been steady and conditions will continue to deteriorate.

“I should think it’s quite likely [that inspections will be called]. We will need to have an inspection.”

The first race is due off at 2.30pm so at least there is time for the ground to improve before then, providing the rain stops.

Stickels added: “There is a risk to racing if it keeps raining.

“That obviously has to be the case. We’ve had an inch of rain already and if it continues to rain really heavily there has to be a risk.

“As I’m talking the rain has just eased off, which is good, and I think the worst of the heavy rain could be passed now, although we could be due some thundery showers later.

“I’m just starting to walk the track again. It was soft at 7.30am but we’ve now had 25mm of rain since racing yesterday and it has come earlier than forecast, which has been quite a surprise.”

More to follow.