Tracks batten down the hatches

Racecourses in action in England and Wales tomorrow have all announced precautionary inspections in light of the severe forecast for storms.

With large parts of those countries expected to be hit by heavy rain and wind, Leicester, Redcar and Bangor are taking no chances.

Leicester and Redcar's Flat fixtures must survive 7.30am precautionary inspections, while Bangor's jumps card is subject to a 6.30am precautionary check.

Leicester clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "It's very much precautionary at this stage. "The storm is due to start at 10pm this evening and continue through to the early hours. We are really none the wiser until we see what it brings."

The going at Leicester is currently heavy, soft in places.

Redcar could get up to 20 millimetres of rainfall within the next 24 hours. General manager Amy Fair said: "Sometimes we get the rain that is forecast, sometimes we don't. It very much depends on what we get overnight. It's a precautionary, not a full inspection."

The going at Redcar is soft.

Bangor in Wales has also been given an ominous forecast of up to 25mm of overnight rainfall.

Clerk of the course Andrew Morris said: "Everyone is aware there is a nasty storm coming across. The track is perfectly fit for racing, but it is the forecast rainfall totals, rather than the high winds, which we are worried about. If we get what has been forecast, it should make it quite an interesting morning."

The going at Bangor this morning was soft.