This afternoon's meeting at Brighton was abandoned after only two races due to safety concerns brought about by high winds at the Sussex track.
The weather can often cause issues here and it's not the first time that the meeting has succumbed to the elements, though it's usually been fog or squall coming in from the sea.
An inspection took place before racing due to very high winds, but the jockeys were happy for the fixture to start. However, before the third race the matting which covers several roads which cross the course was lifting due to the strong gusts of wind.
"The mats we put down on Wilson Avenue, and to a lesser degree on the pull-ups, are being lifted by the wind," clerk of the course Ed Arkell explained.
"We could not be confident a gust of wind would not lift the mat while the race was going on after we had secured them. Safety has to come first, if anything happened and a horse came down we can't take that risk."
It is unlikely that racegoers will receive a refund since the racing did start on time. It will also mean a delay to the new career of Timmy Murphy, the Grand National winning jockey was going to have his first official rides on the flat in the final two races here today so will have to wait to see where he makes his debut in the near future.
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