Racecourse 'struggling' due to weather conditions

Tom Ryall from Wincanton Racecourse says not enough rain has fallen this year

A race course in Somerset believes the weather conditions over the last year have contributed to it struggling to fulfil its full race calendar.

Wincanton Racecourse has cancelled its meet on Sunday, because not enough rain has fallen to soften the ground.

The venue said the lack of rainfall this year has meant its reservoir is not refilling enough, leading to a number of meets needing to be cancelled.

The course's clerk, Tom Ryall, said the "unpredictable" climate means it will have to adapt over the next few years, to keep the business running.

Mr Ryall said: "We actually had a record low amount of rainfall through March where we only had 6mm (0.2in) of rain, which presented challenges finishing off last jump season.

"It meant that we were watering through March for our March fixtures and we actually ran out of water and were unable to run our final two fixtures of last year."

He said the conditions for the year are "unprecedented", and said despite some mitigation work, more rainfall is the answer.

Blaithin Murphy, the course's general manager, said thinking about weather changes is "always in the back of our minds, particularly when we're looking at funding and what we can do to make the sport a more attractive model".

Blaithin Murphy said she is always thinking about weather changes

Ditcheat-based trainer Paul Nicholls is optimistic, despite the firm ground, explaining: "It's been a challenge and Wincanton will obviously struggle because the ground is so firm.

"It'll change soon - there's plenty of rain about... but at this present time, the ground's firm.

"It's no one's fault, they can't do anything about it, but if we get some rain we'll be away."