Newcastle: course was battered by torrential rain on Thursday

  PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)  

Newcastle hopeful of staging Plate card

NEWCASTLE clerk of the course James Armstrong reckons there is "a very good chance" that Saturday's Northumberland Plate card can beat the weather, although it must pass an inspection at 8am.

Thursday's meeting was called off after four races when the track was hit by a thunder storm and torrential rain, which also put paid to racing on Friday night.

Armstrong said on Friday afternoon: "The round course is completely raceable, there is no issue whatsoever. The home straight is still not raceable but it has improved no end since this morning - I'm amazed by the condition it's in, given what we were witnessing last night.

"We are giving it every chance and if it remains like it is now we have got a very good chance - but it has got to remain mainly dry."