Drama ahead of Epsom racing today (From Epsom Guardian)

Drama ahead of Epsom racing today

2:29pm Wednesday 25th April 2012 in News

Roads have reopened and the Investec Spring Meeting is going ahead despite horse saddling boxes being blown onto the road outside Epsom Downs Racecourse this morning.

The incident, at 7.45am, caused severe delays to surrounding roads and police had to be called in to manage the traffic.

In addition to high winds, believed to be up to gale force in strength, the racecourse was lashed by rain and hail.

But the race meeting is continuing, to the relief of thousands of Epsom and Ewell residents who had taken up the offer of free tickets to celebrate the borough's 75th anniversary.

In January, part of the roof of the Duchess' Stand was ripped off in high winds.

A spokesman said that as a precaution, horses were being saddled close to the track, rather than at the bank of boxes near the road.

She said all the stops had been pulled out to ensure the race did not have to be cancelled.

"The racing is going ahead, this was our first priority this morning," she said.

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