CHEPSTOW'S meeting next Wednesday, August 6, has been called off due to the course's nematode worm problem, but officials are hopeful of resuming racing later in the month.

Extensive remedial work has taken place following the discovery on July 16 of nematodes, a microscopic parasitic worm, in small of areas of the racecourse. These organisms feed on the roots of grass and can potentially make the racing surface unstable.

Officials are optimistic that the Ladies Evening fixture scheduled for Thursday, August 14, will get the go-ahead. A further course inspection by the British Horseracing Authority will take place on Wednesday, August 6.

Customers who have booked for next Wednesday are entitled to a full refund or transfer to another date.

Chepstow’s Executive Director, Phil Bell, said: “We have been working around the clock to ensure we deal with this issue and resume racing as soon as possible. The nematode activity was discovered in its early stages and our ground staff team have been carrying out extensive remedial work to create a safe racing surface.

“We are extremely disappointed that our season has been disrupted this summer and apologise to all of our customers. We are hopeful that we will be racing on Ladies Evening, one of our most popular fixtures of the year."