Sandown Friday meeting abandoned and Ascot inspect on Saturday

Ascot will hold a morning inspection on Saturday because of high winds forecast for this weekend's Grade One card.

The announcement from the course swiftly followed the abandonment of Sandown's Friday meeting because of waterlogging.

Sandown failed an early-morning inspection as the stormy weather of the past week continued to take its toll on racing fixtures.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper cited "several areas of false and unavoidable ground on both courses after yesterday's rain" - announcing the abandonment, via Twitter, of the seven-race Royal Artillery Gold Cup card shortly after 7am.

At Ascot, there will be an 8am inspection on Saturday - and the possibility of further checks through the morning, with winds forecast to strengthen from 11am.

The going for a card due to feature the Grade One Betfair Ascot Chase is described as soft, heavy in places. But it is gales, rather than a possible further 15mm of rain, which are causing concern.

Bangor's meeting next Tuesday is subject to a 2pm inspection on Friday, with the going heavy and areas of flooding at the course.

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