Wet weather claims cards at Wexford and Fontwell

Wexford's six-race card on Friday has been called off as the course has been deemed unraceable due to waterlogging.

Conveying the news, clerk of the course said: "Following an inspection this morning and a further 17mm of rain since declarations, the track at Wexford is unfit for racing due to waterlogging and the fixture scheduled for today has been cancelled.

"The additional rain has brought us 33mm since entries and unfortunately we're in the same situation where we have no choice but to cancel today's fixture."

This afternoon's meetings at Fontwell and Wetherby, and Saturday’s Premier fixture at Kelso have also fallen by the wayside due to the ongoing wet spell.

Officials at Fontwell held a precautionary inspection at 7.30am following over 30mm of rain through the week and a further 7mm in the last 24 hours tipped the decision over the edge.

Unfortunately for Kelso, where the Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices’ Handicap Hurdle was the feature on a valuable card, heavy rain overnight left the course unraceable and more is forecast.

Saturday's Curragh fixture, due to feature the Group Three Alleged Stakes, is subject to a 7.30am inspection, while officials Downpatrick will inspect at 7.30am on Sunday ahead of their jumps meeting later that day.

Brendan Sheridan, the IHRB clerk of the course at the Curragh, said: "Following a further 6.5mm of rain overnight, the Curragh remains heavy and fit for racing. Having spoken with Met Éireann this morning, there is is the possibility of a further 8-11mm of rain between now and 5.35pm tomorrow.

"However, we are also faced with the prospect of Storm Kathleen which has the potential to bring high gusts of wind through tomorrow. On the basis of the forecast for further rain, we will