Chepstow abandons card after two races with jockeys deeming track unsafe; Plumpton cancelled after initially being given go-ahead

Racing at Chepstow has been called off after the first two races following concerns raised by jockeys regarding the ground. 

Conditions appeared tough following two inspections before racing on Sunday morning as snow and slush cleared from the track, but another inspection was held after the opening 3m2f conditional jockeys' handicap chase, won by favourite Karate Dori.

Jockeys including Bryan Carver, Liam Harrison and Sean Bowen were satisfied with the ground and racing continued, with the going changed from heavy to heavy, soft in places and the first three fences in the home straight omitted alongside the last on the back straight.

However, Chepstow's efforts ended up being in vain after the second race, won by Carismatic Soldier, prompted another inspection and racing was eventually called off at 1.15pm.

Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, clerk of the course Dai Jones said: "We had the enquiry before the first with all the jockeys, trainers, doctors and vets, and we were happy to carry on, but unfortunately just after that we had a strong shower. 

"With the thawing out and the amount of water we've had over the last hour, the jockeys have said there's a couple of places they felt were too wet and maybe unsafe. Welfare has to be paramount, and we have to listen to the jockeys and take it in hand.

"Conditions this morning slowed the thawing process because temperatures were lower than what was forecast. We've got to go with the advice we've had, it's just unfortunate with the showers we had after the first race."

The abandonment means the Grade 1 card at Naas is the sole fixture taking place in Britain or Ireland on Sunday.

Plumpton's Premier meeting cancelled less than two hours after being given green light

A racegoer arrives at Plumpton station only to discover the card had been cancelled at 10.30amCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Sussex National was called off due to worsening conditions at Plumpton which forced the cancellation of its Premier meeting shortly after 10am. 

The East Sussex track passed an initial inspection at 8.30am, despite areas of standing water on the track, but had to reverse the decision after more rain than forecast arrived in the later hours of the morning. 

The track was due to stage a seven-race card, hinged on the £35,000 handicap chase, yet clerk of the course Marcus Waters was instead left apologising to participants.

"We had seven millimetres of rain in just under two hours," Waters said at 10.30am. "We were forecast five millimetres all the way until noon, and the course is just starting to deteriorate. 

"We were left with no other option other than to abandon. We'll talk to the BHA about rescheduling the Sussex National, the timings of it can be tricky but we'll have that conversation, but we're sorry for all participants who have travelled and are on their way – we were raceable at 8.30am but the forecast went against us." 

Racing over the next few days in Britain has also been affected by the wet and snowy conditions, with Ayr and Ludlow calling inspections for Monday morning and Leicester calling off its Tuesday card 48 hours in advance. 

Hereford, the only other jumps card on Tuesday, has not scheduled an inspection but was covered in snow on Sunday morning.

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1.55 Naas: 'We saw how big an engine he had when he won the bumper at Cheltenham' - acid hurdles test for Jasmin De Vaux 

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