Mixed fortunes on weather front
Freezing temperatures overnight forced Catterick officials to abandon Wednesday’s card but there was better news for Fontwell, Lingfield and eventually, Kempton.
Unfortunately for Catterick the forecast for temperatures to reach -6C overnight materialised and a decision to call the meeting off was taken long before a scheduled 8am inspection.
Former jockey Philip Hide, now clerk of the course at Fontwell, was able to give the green light for their meeting shortly before a scheduled 8am precautionary inspection.
There had been a threat of snow in the area and while there was a light dusting, rain was beginning to fall to help remove it.
@FontwellPark @gl_racing racing goes ahead light covering of snow early Going change to soft on the back of 9 mm Rain in last 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/7CRM9H7GfS
— Philip Hide (@PhilHide) March 8, 2023
The all-weather card at Lingfield this afternoon was another under the threat of snow.
Around 5cm had fallen since around 3am, however, the course was being worked throughout the night and by 8am the snow had stopped.
The going has changed slightly, though, and is now described as standard to slow.
Officials at Kempton called a second precautionary inspection for 10am after a first look at 8am proved inconclusive.
The meeting had already moved from its regular evening slot to a 3.05pm start and by 10am clerk of the course Barney Clifford was able to give it the green light.
Southwell’s all-weather meeting on Thursday must survive a 7.30am inspection but officials are confident there should be no issues unless the current forecast is wrong.
