The Ascot going and weather update will be getting consistently checked in the build-up to British Champions Day this weekend, as the UK is bracing itself for heavy rain and winds with storm ‘Babet’ hitting the country. With the latest news being the inner track will now be used for Champions Day.
Heavy Rain Expected At Ascot Ahead Of British Champions Day
Storm Babet is starting to unfold around the UK, with heavy rain and high winds already being reported and the bad news for Ascot racecourse is they are expected to get hit.
The track is already making plans to switch their longer races over 1m, 1m2f, 1m4f and 2m to the inner track at the Berkshire course should the normal course become heavy.
Director of racing and public affairs, Nick Smith said “The rules are written very clearly that if there is heavy in the going description on the morning of the race then we will switch to the inner course, We will be monitoring conditions and will make decisions as and when appropriate to do so.”
British Champions Day at Ascot is the pinnacle of the UK horse racing flat calendar each season and sees the best-of-the best from England, Ireland and France do battle over a six-race championship card that includes the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champion Stakes.
There’s over £2.3m in total winning prize money to be won over the day, with big names of the world of horse racing like Frankie Dettori, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in action (weather permitting).
Champions Day Switched To Inner Course
With rain continuing to hit the Ascot area, the decision was made on Friday to switch Saturday’s Champions Day card to the inner track, where the going on Friday described as good-to-soft, soft on places.
The course has had 39mm of rain over the last seven days with Storm Babet sweeping the UK, while the bad weather has also already claimed the Saturday cards at Market Rasen and Stratford, so the Ascot officials will be hoping it doesn’t get much worse in the next 24 hours.
See below the Ascot upcoming forecast (Weds-Sun)
Latest Ascot Going Description
With rain expected to hit Ascot racecourse over the next few days the going description is likely to change.
- Straight Course: Soft
- Round Course: Soft, heavy in places
- Inner Flat Course: Good-to-soft, soft in places
Correct as Friday, 20th Oct 2023
When Is QIPCO British Champions Day 2023?
🕙Time: First Race 1:15pm, Last Race 4:25pm
📅Date: Saturday 21st Oct 2023
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
📺 TV: Sky Sports / ITV
Why Is This Storm Called Babet?
Storm Agnes swept the UK in September and as most people know the names move on in alphabetical order – meaning ‘B’ is next in line.
So, where did the Storm name ‘Babet’ come from and why is it not called ‘Brenda’?
It’s a slightly strange name for a storm and one that most would not have even heard of.
The story goes that it originated from a woman who put her own name down when she visited the Dutch weather agency KMNI.
They chose to go with it and with the storm now moving over into the UK, this is where the name ‘Babet’ comes from.
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