Haydock to monitor high winds as yellow weather warning threatens Tommy Whittle card

Strong winds are threatening some of Saturday's fixtures, with Haydock monitoring conditions for its ITV4 card after a yellow weather warning was issued for northern parts of Britain.

Officials at Haydock are not expecting to hold an inspection for the seven-race fixture, headlined by the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.05), due to the timing of the strongest gusts, which are expected at 11am before the first race at 11.45.

Speaking on Friday morning, clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "There's a yellow warning for winds in Scotland, north Wales and the north-west of England and we're on the very southerly edge of it. 

"It doesn't look as strong as Storm Darragh, which caused the Becher Chase to be abandoned, but nevertheless we're going to have to take it seriously.

"It's forecast to be strongest at 11am with 44mph gusts, so it'll be happening as horses are getting into the parade ring for the first race. There's not much room for an inspection beforehand because it's building up towards the first race rather than happening in the morning.

Haydock: wind gusts are expected to reach 44mph on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"The 44mph gusts are not critical but they are strong. The intention is to carry on and monitor it as the first race is happening. 

"There's optimism but it could change and get worse, so it's one to keep an eye on. Unless our position changes or the forecast is updated, there's no inspection planned."

Officials at Newcastle are also monitoring conditions for Saturday, with possible gusts of 53mph for the eight-race all-weather card starting at 3.10.

There could also be gusts in excess of 40mph at Wolverhampton but the wind is due to ease before the start of the nine-race fixture at 4.05.

The ground at Haydock was described as soft, heavy in places on Friday morning and, with further rain forecast, an ease in conditions is likely.

Cooper said on Friday: "There's rain again this afternoon when we're due to get 4mm and it's on and off until racing when we're due sunny spells. A flip of the description is a potential." 

There are no concerns at Ascot for the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle card, although further rain is expected. Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said after racing on Friday: "We're good to soft and we're expecting showers this evening and possibly tomorrow. It's going to be quite windy and I haven't changed the ground from this morning." 

Kempton and Chepstow clerks happy

The going at Kempton for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase meeting on Thursday is good to soft, good in places and clerk of the course Barney Clifford has described the ground as being in "lovely condition".

He said: "There is the risk of a shower over the weekend and on Monday but I don't think there'll be any change in the ground from what it is today. It might ride a bit dead come the day."

The ground at Chepstow for next Friday's Coral Welsh Grand National is soft and clerk of the course Dai Jones said: "We're in a good place and have had a nice bit of rain over the last day or so. The weather is unsettled over the weekend and drier from Tuesday onwards. 

"If we get rain at the top end of what is forecast it will remain soft, but if we get it at the lower end then we may end up with some good to soft in places."

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