NEWCASTLE'S prestige Eider Chase meeting tomorrow was given the go ahead yesterday, even though part of the track was found to be unfit after an afternoon inspection.
Stewards discovered no problems with the chase course but boggy patches in the straight made the hurdle course unsatisfactory. Bosses at Gosforth Park have acted quickly to rescue the televised fixture by arranging for the two hurdles in the straight to be transferred to the Flat course.
"There are some soft patches in the home straight on the hurdle course and the stewards weren't happy with the safety aspect," said Newcastle's director of racing Sir Nicholas Beaumont. The going on the chase course is good to soft (soft in places) and on the hurdle track soft (good to soft in places).
Prospects for racing at Sandown are reported to be good, though an inspection was planned for 7.30 this morning. Yesterday's fixture at the track was called off.
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