STORM EUNICE has wreaked havoc on Friday’s race meetings.
Lingfield and Southwell have joined Fakenham in cancelling their cards with gales of up to 100mph forecast – while Dundalk’s all-weather fixture in Ireland has also been scrapped.
However, Kelso are still set to race, despite snow and strong winds in Scotland and the North.
The seven-race jumps card kicks off at 1pm, but the Scottish track have said they will monitor conditions throughout the afternoon with a ‘yellow’ weather warning in place.
The forecast is set to calm down by Saturday, but big fixtures at Haydock and Ascot could also be at risk if Storm Eunice hangs around into the weekend.
And Lingfield’s jumps card on Monday has also already been abandoned with the ground there waterlogged.
Rail firms have advised customers not to travel due to the forcast.
Southern Rail, who operate in and out of Ascot, tweeted: “Please DO NOT travel on Friday 18th February.
“Very strong winds are forecast and these are expected to cause damage and obstruction on the railway.
“We strongly advise travelling today, Thursday 17th February, or Saturday 19th February.”
Haydock hope they will be fine to race on Saturday, but forecast rain means the ground will be testing.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: “The main concern has been wind, which would be a problem on a raceday but shouldn’t be the day before. There will be a lot of damage to repair, no doubt.
“Saturday is expected to be blustery, gusts of wind and more rain. Having walked the course a couple of times today, I’m pretty optimistic we’ll get through.
“The hurdle course is heavy, soft in places, and is not in a bad place. The chase course is heavy, and very heavy in one or two places so we might be bypassing them. I’ve taken the second fence out in the back straight mainly as a precaution because it gives us more options in terms on how we get past that location.”
Ascot’s Grade 1 Saturday card should escape the worst of the weather with no inspection currently planned.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/champion-chase-favourite-shishkin-bright-and-breezy-as-nicky-henderson-prepares-him-for-energumene-rematch
