Fontwell Park staff determined to rescue their big festive race meeting

The wintry weather has left a big doubt over whether the card – set to bring the track its biggest crowd for years – can go ahead.

There was still snow on the course last night and general manager Phil Bell admitted it was 50/50 whether racing could take place on Sunday.

But he said: “Under the covers and under the snow, the course is in great condition – it’s raceable.

“What we need is for the snow to melt and then for tempertares to hold up. At the moment the forecast for Christmas Day night isn’t good, but these things change all the time.

“We’re thinking of bringing in more covers and will certainly do anything humanly possible to ensure we can get it on.

“It’s going to go to the wire and we could well end up inspecting on Boxing Day morning.”

A crowd of up to 7,000 is expected if the weather behaves, and the chances are Fontwell could be one of only two courses to see Boxing Day survive – the other being Kempton.

Racing is due to start at 12.35pm, although the number of entries for one race means an extra contest could be put on at midday.

There’s a wide range of free family entertainment and there will be live festive music and a visit from Santa.