Conditions turn heavy at Cartmel after significant rain before Saturday card

Cartmel clerk James Armstrong is optimistic racing will go ahead on Saturday after the going changed to heavy following significant morning rain. 

Around 15-16mm of rain hit the Cumbria track before racing on Saturday, with showers forecast to continue before the first race at 2.15pm.

Armstrong declared the course raceable just before 10am but will continue to monitor conditions as the day progresses. 

He said on Saturday morning: "We're perfectly fine at the moment but we've had 15-16mm of rain now.

"It's very likely it will go heavy all round if the weather continues, so it's very much a watching brief now. We'll keep going and have to just see what comes, as we're forecast for another upwards of 15mm and it's still raining at the moment."

Three horses have been declared non-runners due to conditions, with Songo and Johnson's Blue ruled out of the feature William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle (3.25) and Mr Rumbalicious in the opening novice hurdle (2.15). 

Armstong will reassess conditions this evening in light of another 10-15mm expected on Sunday, with Cartmel due to hold its next fixture on Monday. 

"It's meant to rain all day today and a lot more potentially to come tomorrow too," he added. "We'll have to consider where we're at this evening before racing on Monday." 

Read more: 

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'Icing on the cake' for Cartmel as Rachael Blackmore returns to the course after six-year absence on Saturday  

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