UPDATE 4.42PM: RACING looks a step closer after staff passed the course fit following an inspection at 3pm today.

However a further and final inspection is planned at 7.30am tomorrow, the day of the races, due to further forecast rain overnight.

A FURTHER inspection is taking place at the city racecourse today, with staff working hard to clear water off the ground.

There was an inspection at 7.45am, and another walk round by clerk of the course Fergus Cameron at 3pm will provide a final verdict on whether tomorrow's racing can go ahead.

Conditions at what was yesterday a heavily water-logged course have "improved significantly" said Jenny Cheshire, commercial manager, after pumps shifted 95 per cent of the water.

The hefty drop in the level of the river Severn overnight means the course's drains can be emptied.

However, two problems remain in getting the chase fences off track, and replacing them with hurdles and sourcing 4x4 ambulances.


Mr Cameron said: “We’ve seen a significant improvement in the last 12 hours.

"The level of the river has dropped which has enabled the drain which was under water to be freed.
 

“We have lost 95 per cent of the surface water on the track and we are forecast a dry day, although there could be further rain of up to 12 millimetres between now and tomorrow evening.

“However, we currently have vehicle access problems.

"The first two furlongs are completely waterlogged in centre of track and the concern is whether we could provide access to emergency vehicles.


“We are investigating the options but under the circumstances, a second inspection is probably the best route to take.”