Hopes high that Welsh National will go ahead

CHEPSTOW officials are optimistic the Welsh Grand National meeting tomorrow will go ahead after the course weathered the latest amount of rain better than expected.

The track has been hit with more than 100 millimetres over the course of the week yet it was still raceable on Thursday.

The going was described as heavy, but with no further rain expected until today, clerk of the course Libby O’Flaherty has high hopes their biggest meeting of the year will survive.

Elsewhere, Monday’s fixture at Fontwell is in doubt due to heavy rain, with an inspection called for 7.30am this morning.

The going is heavy with standing water in places after 95mm of rain in the last 10 days.