Snow plays havoc with horse racing schedule

Snow continues to play havoc with turf racing in Britain as prospects for a quick return look slim.

Ayr is hoping to race tomorrow after the British Horseracing Authority awarded them an extra meeting, but snow now features in their forecast.

Clerk of the course Emma Marley said: “The forecast is slightly problematic.

“All we can do is wait and see as it is coming in from the east coast and it is quite heavy over there.”

Catterick’s meeting, alsotomorrow, has already been abandoned after an inspection.

Turf meetings at Leicester and Wetherby today have been lost to the weather, but there is a chance of racing at Exeter on Wednesday – although it needs the forecast to go their way.

“We’ve got a glimmer of hope,” said clerk of the course Barry Johnson, who will inspect at 8am on Tuesday.

“We’re not too sure what’s going to fall overnight, it could easily be snow, which would give us no chance.

“But it may be rain or sleet which would help shift the snow.”

Warwick’s meeting on Thursday was abandoned after an impromptu 11am inspection was called by clerk of the course Sulekha Varma.

Fakenham’s card on the same day is subject to a 12 noon inspection today after officials report the track being covered in four inches of snow.

Varma is also the clerk at Huntingdon, which is due to stage racing on Friday but must inspect at 9.30am tomorrow.

“We hope things improve in time with the meeting being on Friday,” she said.

“There is at least two to three inches of snow across the site which is enough to cause a problem.”

Doncaster race on Friday and Saturday, with Friday’s meeting subject to a 10am inspection on Wednesday after five inches of snow fell on the track.

Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: “It depends which forecast you look at but there are glimmers of hope.

“The forecast for Thursday night into Friday is a little bit difficult.”

All eyes are on Cheltenham, however, which is due to stage Festival Trials Day on Saturday.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse describes the meeting as “being in the balance” and expects a better idea of prospects by tomorrow morning.

“The course remains raceable under the covers. The temperatures are below freezing and there is a just a touch of very light snow in the air,” he said.

“There is the chance we will get further light snow tomorrow with temperatures beginning to get better by Thursday/Friday and rain on Saturday.

“I think it is still very much in the balance at this stage.

“The next crucial stage in our thinking will be after we have had the snow that’s forecast for tomorrow and tomorrow night.

“I think we will have a pretty good idea as to the way it’s heading on Wednesday morning.”

Racing on an artificial surface took place at Wolverhampton yesterday and another meeting is planned there today.

A similar card at Lingfield today hinges on a 7am inspection.

The New One, Puffin Billy and Coneygree could all clash in a mouthwatering renewal of the Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, should the meeting beat the big freeze as they hope.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ The New One looked electric in winning at Warwick recently, while Puffin Billy is unbeaten in four starts for Oliver Sherwood.

Mark Bradstock’s Coneygree showed a great attitude when twice victorious at Cheltenham earlier in the season.