Stratford Strive To Race Next Week

Officials at Stratford are cautiously optimistic of racing next Thursday.

Parts of the stand were over two metres under water after the River Avon burst its banks on Friday night, and the floods inflicted serious damage on facilities for the second time this year.

However, managing director Stephen Lambert is already making plans to get the August 2 meeting on.

He said: 'We have by no means given up hope of racing next Thursday.

'80% of the track is raceable today; the drains are running well, and our executive team, groundstaff, electricians and cleaners are working full-bore so that we can resume racing next week.

'We have seven days to recover fully and the forecast is adequate. I have asked our course inspector Peter Hobbs to visit us early next Tuesday morning, and a decision will be made then as to whether we can run the meeting.'

If Lambert is able to give the fixture the go-ahead, some concessions will have to be made.

'The plan is to have one enclosure for the public, with admission costing just £7,' he added.

'The caterers will work out of a marquee kitchen and we have a fleet of generators ordered in case the power is not back. The weighing room is already taking shape.'

(C) PA Sport