Weather inspections at Wincanton and Plumpton
After some slight improvement in the extreme weather conditions, a second inspection of the racecourse will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday to finalise the decision of Wednesday’s fixture. According to the clerk of the racecourse, Mark Conford, there is
a glimmer of hope for the racing fans that Wednesday would not be a blank day after the Ayr meeting’s cancellation.
The inspection was first carried out at 8 in the morning, but after witnessing the improvements in the frosty weather, Cornford decided to give the racecourse some more time in order to allow for clearance.
When media correspondents approached him after the inspection, he was not very certain but was rather hopeful of the meeting not getting cancelled. He said, “The meeting is still very much in doubt, but after the improvement I want to give it every possible
chance.”
He further added, “We have had a very slight improvement overnight, it was only -1 degree Celsius and while we have some frost, there has been enough of a change for me to want to see what a further day of light will bring.”
The seven race card for the meeting on Wednesday is sponsored by owner Andy Stewart and his family. He is the owner of Big Buck’s, Celestial Halo and Poquelin. One of the Andy’s organizations is also working towards increasing awareness for Spinal Research.
This organization is funded by charity and is researching to develop treatments for paralysed people.
On the other hand, Wincanton is also going to be inspected for the final judgement of the Thursday meeting. The inspection is due to take place on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Barry Johnson, the clerk of the Wincanton racecourse said, “It is just above freezing, but that means it is trying to snow.”
He also further added, “It is not looking brilliant, there is frost in the ground and we are hoping daytime temperatures get high enough to get that out.”
Day by day, the prospects of racing events in Britain and Ireland are becoming bleak. Also, according to the weather forecasters, the weather conditions in the region are to remain as such. Although, some improvement is expected, it has been announced that
it will be short lived.
The Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown is also in doubt as the Met Office spokesman said, “We are going to see winds still coming in from the east to north-east through the week and that will keep the cold theme going, and there will be snow at times, some quite
heavy, especially on the eastern side of the country, and temperatures by day will not get much above freezing in many areas.”
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