Haydock going for Betfair Chase day 'highly likely to be soft'

A combination of melted snow and forecast rain renders it highly likely underfoot conditions at Haydock on Betfair Chase day will be soft.

The official going description was good to soft on Friday afternoon, when Haydock's clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "We’ve been partially covered in snow since Monday, but most of that has all gone now.

“It’s raining now, and we’re anticipating more wet weather from 1am until the end of Saturday night. Quantities might only amount to up to 10mm before midday, but it is highly likely the ground will be soft.”

Multiple weather warnings are in place for parts of Britain over the weekend, with Storm Bert forecast to bring gale-force winds, rain and snow.

Cooper added: “The winds are forecast to be gusty and strong at times, but there are no concerns that the fixture won’t take place. It’s a fantastic card and I’d like to thank everyone for supporting it so well.”

Ascot, which hosts a seven-race card featuring a pair of Grade 2s, the 1965 Chase and Ascot Hurdle, is also forecast to receive some rain, but conditions are likely to be quicker than at Haydock.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said on Friday: “We’ve got good ground at the moment, and rain is due early tomorrow.

“We’re expecting sleety showers or rain through to mid-morning. It gets milder and windy on Saturday. There is a wet front coming in, but at the moment it is hard to know how much rain to expect.”

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