Wetherby is hopeful of racing on Boxing Day and Friday, despite announcing an inspection at 7.30am on the opening day and

amending the going description to soft, heavy and waterlogged in places.

Tim Betteridge, Wetherby's chief executive, said: "The chase course is in very good shape but there is one problem area on the hurdle course, coming out of the back straight.

"We are working hard on improving that area and also looking at the

options for bypassing and dolling it off. We had 25 millimetres of rain

over the weekend and we are hoping for more wind than rain over the next couple of days."

Updated: 11:28 Tuesday, December 24, 2002