Racing: Racing on turf under threat from washout

That could leave just the two all-weather programmes at Kempton and Lingfield to fly the flag.

Deteriorating conditions forced officials at Beverley to bring forward a 3pm inspection and were left with no alternative but to call it off. Sally Iggulden, racecourse manager at the East Yorkshire track, said: "It started raining at 11am and we had 5mm in half an hour which took it beyond doubt."

Leicester, where the going is heavy, are optimistic of going ahead despite calling a precautionary inspection for 8am ahead of their evening meeting.

"We had 10mm of rain which means we have had 40mm over the last six days," said clerk of the course, Jimmy Stevenson. "We can't take much more but I would be hopeful if there's not a lot more."

Heavy rain over the weekend has forced Towcester to call a precautionary inspection at 9am ahead of their evening fixture.

Officials remain hopeful racing will still go ahead if the weather improves as is forecast.