Flooding claims Hereford jumps card

Poor weather continues to play havoc with National Hunt racing, with Tuesday’s meeting at Hereford the latest to be abandoned due to a waterlogged track.

Significant flooding in several areas left course officials with no alternative but to cancel the six-race card following a lunchtime inspection.

With Leicester having already been called off for the same reason over the weekend, that leaves a void of afternoon racing, with Wolverhampton’s all-weather Flat fixture not starting until 4.30pm.

Thursday’s jumps card at Catterick, which features the North Yorkshire Grand National, is already under threat, with an inspection to be held at 7.45am on Tuesday due to current snow cover and forecast significant frost.

Clerk of the course Fiona Needham said: “To be fair, the snow I wouldn’t be so fussed about, I think if that went, that would be all right, but it’s the incoming frost.

“With all that moisture in the ground, it’s going to freeze solid isn’t it. That’s why I’m looking in the morning, but everybody knows about the weather and I don’t think anybody will be surprised.”

Clonmel’s meeting on Thursday has already been called off with the track covered in snow and unlikely to improve in time for racing.

Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said: “Following adverse weather over the weekend, unfortunately the track at Clonmel is unfit for racing at present due to a covering of snow.

“The current weather forecast is for temperatures to remain very low and dropping as low as -7C in the Clonmel area this week.

“Due to the current conditions and the forecast for the coming days, the fixture scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled.

“The team at Clonmel are working with Horse Racing Ireland regarding a new date for this meeting.”

Monday’s jumps meeting at Ludlow was abandoned due to a waterlogged track but Ayr did go ahead.

Taunton is scheduled to be the only National Hunt fixture on Wednesday, with the going described as soft following 40 millimetres of rain in recent days and the take-offs and landings being covered.