High winds claim Chelmsford post-race concert but courses expect to race

High winds, gusting at over 40mph this morning, has forced Chelmsford to cancel its post-racing music concert but racing is expected to go ahead around the country with officials monitoring the strong gusts.

The weather is also proving treacherous for racegoers making their way to the courses with a tree falling on the A329 between Bracknell and Ascot. Police are advising drivers to seek alternative routes.

The gale-force winds claimed the 'One Night of Queen' tribute music concert at Chelmsford because of health and safety concerns with the stage and production of the set.

Asked if there was wind speed above which racing would certainly be under threat Chelmsford's clerk of the course Andrew Waitt said: "There is not a specific number, we have raced in high winds before and any decision we make will be in conjunction with jockeys, trainers and officials. The trouble is you can't really tell until you get racing most of the time."

Just over 50 miles further north from Chelsmford, the headquarters of racing at Newmarket was also being battered by the high winds but officials are confident racing will not be affected.

Michael Prosser, Newmarket's clerk of the course, said at 11.30: "The wind is much like we had for the Future Champions Festival last year and the forecast is for the gusts to peak between one and two at 45-50mph and then diminish through the afternoon.

"The July Course is lucky in that it is quite enclosed and protected with the National Stud treeline one side and the Devil's Dyke on the other."

Officials at Haydock and Lingfield are also bracing themselves for high winds which could be in the region of 40mph.

Addeybb: favourite for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at HaydockCredit: Edward Whitaker

Haydock hosts a good seven-race card headlined by the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes. Winds could reach 40mph at the Merseyside track and clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright is another monitoring the situation.

"We'll just have to play it by ear," Tellwright said. "You can never say there will not be a threat to racing but there's no problem at the moment. Unfortunately we can't hold any pre-race inspection for wind."

Lingfield, the other course which could feel the brunt of the breezy conditions, is expecting a sell-out crowd for an exciting evening card featuring eight races before a live concert from Jess Glynne. The worst of the wind is expected during the afternoon before easing to 20mph at 4pm. The card starts at 5.10.

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