Wolverhampton to Reassess Tuesday Meeting as Southwell Confident Against Cold
Wolverhampton Racecourse is set for a crucial inspection on Tuesday morning. This comes as the venue looks to recover from extreme cold that cancelled its Monday racing events. With temperatures plunging to -5°C overnight, officials will assess conditions at 8 AM prior to the scheduled races.
Optimistic Outlook for Wolverhampton
Despite a freezing start, conditions are expected to improve. Highs of 3-4°C are anticipated, and Clerk of the Course Fergus Cameron expressed optimism about the day’s proceedings. He stated, “The forecast suggests better temperatures tomorrow compared to today.”
Southwell’s Confident Stance
Alongside Wolverhampton, Southwell Racecourse also faced challenges due to snowfall on Monday. However, Clerk John Holliday assured that they were prepared to handle any issues. “We had some snow this morning and we’re working to maintain the track,” he noted.
- Snowfall reported on Monday at Southwell
- No risk of cancellation predicted
- Track preparations include power harrowing
Southwell will also conduct another inspection but no significant weather-related issues are anticipated, barring heavy snow that is not in the forecast.
Impact of Cold Weather Across the UK
The cold snap has affected various regions, prompting yellow weather warnings from the Met Office across Scotland, Northern Ireland, and parts of Northern England. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued amber alerts throughout England due to the hazardous conditions until Friday. Meanwhile, Met Eireann issued separate warnings for Ireland lasting until Wednesday.
Return of Jump Racing
Jump racing is likely to make a comeback by Thursday with an additional meeting at Ffos Las. This venue is expected to remain above freezing, with temperatures projected to improve significantly after Tuesday. Clerk Tracey O’Meara said, “We had some snow, but the forecast shows it will stay above freezing soon.”
- Ffos Las is forecasted to be above freezing after Tuesday
- Wednesday marks another day without jump races
- Cold conditions have led to multiple race cancellations
Key Fixtures and Weather Predictions
Looking ahead, several events are on the radar as temperatures are expected to stabilize. The following tracks are scheduled for inspections:
| Track | Status | Inspection Time |
|---|---|---|
| Musselburgh | Cancelled | N/A |
| Southwell (AW) | Inspection | 8 AM Tuesday |
| Wolverhampton (AW) | Inspection | 8 AM Tuesday |
| Taunton | Pencil in | Thursday |
As the situation develops, stakeholders and fans remain hopeful for a return to normal racing activities, especially with improved conditions on the horizon.
