Racing: Kempton takes rain check

Further rain overnight would almost certainly cause cancellation of today's race meeting at Kempton. Tomorrow's card could also be in danger.

Major Michael Webster, the clerk of the course, said yesterday that the track would be inspected at 7am today. "To be honest, I am not very optimistic as more rain is forecast overnight and the last three furlongs of the track are waterlogged.

Even yesterday's ``all-weather'' meeting at Lingfield was abandoned after one race because high winds were blowing down the plastic running rails. Taunton's entire card was lost.

Today's meetings at Catterick and Southwell are expected to go ahead. Haydock is confident that tomorrow's valuable card will take place.

n An irrigation system costing £122,000 is to be installed at Aintree racecourse. The plan involves sinking a borehole from which water can be pumped at up to 30,000 gallons an hour.