Sedgefield's Friday card cancelled due to waterlogging with Leicester facing a third inspection ahead of its Flat fixture

Sedgefield clerk of the course Michael Naughton said "we're fighting a losing battle" after the track was forced to cancel its jumps fixture on Friday due to a waterlogged track.

The venue was due to host a six-race jumps card but as a result of the continued wet weather, officials were left with no choice but to call off the meeting.

Naughton said: "We were hoping the rain would miss us and that the ground would begin to dry out this morning as it's been the first real bit of dry weather we've had. There's been 57mm of rain since the start of April and it's quite a lot on us.

"It's holding on the top bend because it's brand new turf and it's not draining like the rest of the track. We're a good draining track, but it's settling in and the water isn't going away. There's standing water on the bend and horse and jockey safety comes first." 

With the forecast later in the week not showing signs of improvement, Naughton said it was important to make an early decision for connections who had intended runners on the card.

He said: "We're to get up to 4mm today and this evening, and then between 1-3mm from Thursday into Friday. It'd just be topping up what's already there. We're fighting a losing battle and we thought we'd give everyone a chance to rearrange what they need to instead of calling numerous inspections."

Leicester has called its third inspection of the week after the course remained waterlogged ahead of its fixture on Friday. 

The track held an initial inspection on Tuesday before calling another on Wednesday morning, however the ground remained unraceable in places following three millimetres of rain overnight. 

Clerk of the course James Stevenson has scheduled an additional inspection at 3.30pm on Thursday due to another two to three millimetres of rain expected on Wednesday. Conditions are forecast to be dry on Thursday and Friday morning.

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