WORCESTER Racecourse officials have not given up hope of racing returning to the track before the end of the season.

Pitchcroft is again under water after overflow from the drains in the wake of the weekend’s rain flooded the course and the River Severn burst its banks.

Last year, every fixture at the venue was lost following the July floods and now the remaining dates this season have also been thrown into doubt.

The course is due to host a National Hunt meeting on Friday, Septmber 26, and two further meetings on Thursday, October 9, and Wednesday, October 22.

However, with more than two weeks to go until the next date, there is no talk yet of abandoning the fixture.

David Roberts, managing director of Arena Leisure, who own the course, said: “The flooding only took place at the weekend so it’s too early to establish what the future might hold up to the end of the season at Worcester.

“We have to see how fast the water comes off. We were initially flooded by the drains and the river broke its banks about two hours after.

“If the water takes a week to come off, it would be difficult to race on September 26. I wouldn’t want to make a judgement before we have seen the track.”