WE all like a chat about the good old British weather and our ground staff team at Chepstow are no different.

Just six weeks ago we abandoned our Easter Monday fixture because of waterlogging and now we are likely to be watering the course for our meeting next Tuesday due to the dry conditions.

Sean Revell, our head groundsman, and his team spend hours adjusting their track preparation plans based on the weather forecast. It’s critical we deliver a safe, well presented racing surface regardless of the weather conditions and there is a huge amount of pressure to get it right.

Sean has a five strong team to maintain our 400 acre estate and they do a fantastic job dealing with the huge challenges the wind, rain, sun and snow can bring.

A week before each race meeting we have to issue a report on the ‘going’. Descriptions include soft, heavy, good or firm – or a combination of these.

Racehorses tend to prefer racing on a certain type of going so we need to be 100 per cent accurate with our prediction because trainers will agree the running plans of their horses based on our opinion.

Ultimately, our clerk of the course Keith Ottesen takes responsibility for ensuring the going is accurate – and safe. As well as this element of his role, Keith will book the other officials we require for a race meeting to go-ahead, including doctors, ambulance staff and veterinary surgeons.

Looking ahead, our busy summer programme is under way and we are expecting a large attendance for our Beer and Cider Night with The Wurzels on Saturday 2nd June. We will be opening early to show the Epsom Derby at 4.30pm with live racing at Chepstow starting from 6pm. The Wurzels will play live at 9.15pm.

Radio One presenter Scott Mills will be playing a DJ set on Ladies Evening, Friday 13th July and a fortnight later it’s the ever popular Caribbean Night on Friday 27th July.

All the information is on the website – www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk