| Racecourse | Scheduled Date | Current Status / Inspection Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kempton | Saturday, 10 January | Inspection: Friday 2:00 pm |
| Warwick | Saturday, 10 January | Inspection: Friday 2:00 pm |
| Exeter | Friday, 9 January | Inspection: Friday 8:00 am (precautionary) |
| Wolverhampton (AW) | Friday, 9 January | Inspection: Friday 9:30 am (weather-related) |
| Naas (Ireland) | Friday, 9 January | Inspection: Friday 7:30 am |
| Wetherby | Saturday, 10 January | Cancelled: Frozen track |
| Huntingdon | Friday, 9 January | Cancelled: Frozen track |
| Southwell | Friday, 9 January | Cancelled: Frozen track |
| Kelso | Sunday, 11 January | Cancelled: Frozen track |
The much-anticipated Lanzarote Hurdle meeting at Kempton on Saturday is facing another critical test. The track will undergo a second inspection at 2pm on Friday after significant improvement in conditions, with around 90 per cent of the track now reported as raceable. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford stated on Thursday that while progress had been made, areas of concern still remain, particularly sections that all runners must pass over.
The weather forecast, however, remains unpredictable, with Storm Goretti potentially bringing rain that could turn to snow, which may affect the track once again.
Clifford remained cautiously optimistic about the condition of the course, saying: “I’d hope to be raceable by midday tomorrow, but the snow bomb could hit anywhere.” Weather remains a decisive factor, with even short-term changes capable of reversing recent improvement.
Meanwhile, Warwick is also keeping its fingers crossed as its Classic Chase card for Saturday depends on a 2pm inspection on Friday. The track has made significant improvement, although some frozen areas remain following a foggy day that slowed progress.
Clerk of the course Nessie Chanter described the surface as being in better condition overall but warned of the challenges posed by the incoming weather. “A large proportion of the track is looking good, but there are still some areas a bit frozen,” she noted.
Forecasts suggest 20–25mm of rain, which could turn to snow overnight. The situation at Warwick is being closely monitored, with assistance from Cheltenham and Stratford arranged to help cover the track should temperatures drop sharply in the early hours of Saturday.
Other key inspections and cancellations
Kempton and Warwick are not the only venues affected by the ongoing cold snap. Southwell’s Friday meeting has been cancelled, while Huntingdon’s card was abandoned after the course remained frozen following a morning inspection.
In Ireland, Naas — host of a rescheduled Grade One card — will undergo a 7.30am inspection on raceday, with temperatures forecast to fall to -1C overnight. Exeter passed an inspection earlier in the week but has called a precautionary 8am check on Friday due to weather warnings for wind and snow.
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton’s Friday evening all-weather fixture will be subject to a 9.30am raceday inspection, with the impact of Storm Goretti still uncertain despite the track currently being raceable. Wetherby’s Saturday meeting has already been cancelled, while Kelso’s Sunday card has been abandoned due to frost.
Fontwell remains frozen in places, with significant rainfall forecast, leaving its status under close observation.
What’s next?
Kempton and Warwick must both pass Friday’s 2pm inspections to confirm their major Saturday cards. Naas and Exeter face early-morning checks on Friday, while racing authorities have moved to mitigate disruption by confirming an additional all-weather meeting at Chelmsford on Sunday.
With conditions changing hour by hour, Friday’s inspections will play a decisive role in shaping the weekend’s racing programme.
