British meetings get all clear Today's National Hunt meeting at Lingfield has survived a second precautionary inspection at 9am. Racing at the Surrey venue happily goes ahead following a slow rise in temperatures this morning. Clerk of the course Neil MacKenzie Ross still required a second assessment of conditions, however, after a sharp start to the day. He said: "I'm happy to say racing goes ahead. It was cold this morning when we inspected at 7.30am, but temperatures are rising again now. "I've walked round the track twice and I can find nothing to worry us." Ayr scrapped their proposed early-morning inspection and will race this afternoon as scheduled. Clerk of the course Emma Marley had been due to assess conditions at 8am due to the possible threat of frost. But with the mercury having dipped to just minus 1C overnight, the go-ahead was given without delay. Racing begins at 12.30pm, with the going reported as good, good to soft in places. Hereford are fit to race this afternoon following a successful 8.30am precautionary inspection. Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen needed to analyse conditions in light of an unforgiving overnight forecast. But with temperatures having fallen to just below freezing, allied to the protective fleece covering the track, the jumps fixture will go ahead as scheduled. Ottesen said: "It has grown colder this morning, but we can manage it without a second inspection. "Thankfully we didn't get to the minus 4C which was forecast and, what with the covers being on, we are able to sit tight."
