Rain threat to Saturday

Inspections called around the country

Last updated: 5th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rain threat to Saturday

Sprint Cup could be switched

Also see

Saturday's meetings at Haydock and Stratford are subject to inspections following heavy rain throughout Friday.

Officials will inspect at 7am on Saturday with further rain forecast overnight, with Haydock's prestigious Betfred Sprint Cup fixture under severe threat despite the home straight being covered by waterproof sheets.

"In order to keep people up to date with events, we have decided to call a precautionary inspection," said Haydock chief Kirkland Tellwright.

The ground is currently described as heavy, soft in places.

The BHA is already looking into saving the Group One feature race and are likely to add it to Doncaster's meeting next week in the event of abandonment.

Stratford's clerk of the course Stephen Lambert said: "We're fine, we're raceable at present.

"We've got a precautionary inspection at seven o'clock tomorrow morning because more rain is forecast."

Leopardstown will also take a look at 7am in the morning ahead of their big Irish Champion Stakes meeting after 45mm of rain fell on Friday.

"There are bits of casual water on the track but that wouldn't be unusual when you get so much rain in a short period of time," said general manager Tom Burke. "We had a similar experience before our last meeting and we raced fine.

"It stopped raining at around 2pm but there is a risk of further showers tonight, although they tell me it should not be as bad as what we've had.

"Most of the track is surprisingly in good condition so we will have to see what the night brings."