Cold and wet forecast forces Chepstow and Clonmel to inspect on Tuesday

Tuesday's meetings at Chepstow and Clonmel hinge on morning inspections as heavy rain and cold weather threaten to claim more fixtures this week.

Officials at both courses are hoping to avoid the fate of Fontwell following its cancellation on Monday due to waterlogging, with Chepstow inspecting at 7.30am due to freezing temperatures.

The whole of the track has been covered in frost covers with overnight temperatures due to drop to -3C before rising to 3C during the day.

Speaking on Monday, Chepstow's clerk of the course Elizabeth O'Flaherty said: "We're currently raceable as we didn't get a frost last night. Temperatures are due to drop to -2/-3C and then rise in the morning to 2/3C, which is a better forecast than we got yesterday.

"The whole track is covered and we didn't get a frost last night so we should be fine with those temperatures, and let's hope it's not -4/-5C as there are some quite harsh frost forecast around the country."

A freezing forecast has also prompted Clonmel to schedule a 7.30am inspection on Tuesday for a fixture rearranged from last week.

Newbury: an inspection for Wednesday's fixture will take place on Tuesday at 8.30amCredit: Edward Whitaker

Officials at Newbury will inspect for Wednesday's meeting at 8.30am on Tuesday, with the course waterlogged in places and freezing temperatures forecast.

The course received 14mm of rain overnight to take the total up to 62mm in the last seven days and temperatures could reach as low as -7C.

Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: "The inspection is due to some waterlogged ground we've got this morning following all the rain we've had. Prior to that rain, we were anticipating an inspection at some point due to frost, but before we get to that we need to get rid of the water, which I expect will drain away.

"Then we'll see how cold it gets. The range is between -3C and -7C for tonight and -4C/-5C on Tuesday night and we need a better forecast than that to give us some certainty. We'll put down the routine covers and fleecing on the takeoffs and landings and the barer parts of the track, but the forecast is for frost more severe than they will be able to withstand."

No inspection has been called for Plumpton on Wednesday, but that could change once clerk Marcus Waters has walked the course on Tuesday morning.

He said on Monday: "Tonight looks like our coldest night as we're due to get down to -4C/-5C, whereas it's -2C/-3C on Tuesday night. We've covered the whole of the course, but if we get any frozen areas we'll be struggling. We hope the frost sheets work and we're in the lap of the gods."

Frost covers are being deployed at courses across Britain this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Wincanton has been hit by 54mm of rain in the last seven days in the build-up for Thursday's meeting, but it is the threat of frost causing the biggest worry.

Clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "We've got the odd patch of standing water, and as well as that there's frost due tonight through to raceday. We're covering takeoffs and landings today, and the biggest concern is the frost being manageable.

"It looks worse earlier in the week – Tuesday and Wednesday – and isn't as low into Thursday morning, so we're hoping the frost covers can do their job."

The three-day Winter Million festival at Lingfield is due to start on Friday and officials have covered the whole course in a bid to combat the combination of heavy rain followed by freezing temperatures.

Speaking as he was putting down the covers on Monday, clerk of the course George Hill said. "We're forecast -2C/-3C every night for four nights and 2C/3C in the day for four days. We'll see how the track reacts but the good thing is it's not going to rain.

"We had another 9.2mm of rain this morning to take us to 70mm in the last week and we've got a few small areas of standing water which will need time to get through.

"The next challenge is the frost threat and to give it the best chance we're covering up today. It's not usual covering ground with standing water on it, but it's not stopped raining and hopefully four days will be enough and we'll be absolutely fine for Friday. The good news is the weather warms up into Saturday and Sunday, which is a positive."

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