Racing: Rain puts Ladbroke card in jeopardy

SATURDAY'S LADBROKE Hurdle is in doubt. The Leopardstown card, which stages the big handicap, is subject to a 4pm inspection tomorrow following heavy rain. Tom Burke, Leopardstown's racing manager, said last night: "We had very heavy rain last night and again this morning. Patches of the course are very wet and although there is no standing water, it is very sloppy. We are expecting further rain tonight and on Thursday."

Haydock's meeting on Saturday is also in doubt. The going is already officially Heavy, and further rain would put the meeting in danger.

Leicester's meeting next Tuesday is another threatened. A spokesman said: "The going is Good to Soft, Soft in places on the Chase course, but Heavy over Hurdles. It couldn't stand much more rain."

Tomorrow's card at Market Rasen is "very safe", despite the abandonment of the two steeplechases. Clerk of the course Charlie Moore said: "We have had to abandon the chases but the hurdles course is a different kettle of fish. It is Soft, Good to Soft in the back straight. By dividing the conditional jockeys' hurdle, we will have six-races, starting at 1.10."

Today's three meetings appear safe, however, with Fergus Cameron, Lingfield assistant clerk of the course, confident the Turf card will go ahead. "The forecast is for it to remain dry," he said.