Sandown to inspect chase and hurdles tracks ahead of Saturday's ITV card

Officials at Sandown will inspect the chase and hurdles tracks at 8am on Thursday in advance of Saturday's fixture that features the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

The chase track was described as soft, heavy in places on Tuesday and the hurdles track was heavy, soft in places, with both courses waterlogged in places. 

A provisional all-chase six-race card has been arranged due to the condition of the hurdles track, but more than 10mm of rainfall has hit the Esher venue since Monday and both tracks will be assessed as part of the inspection.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "We're not under any illusions that it's just about the hurdles course. We have to see what the whole picture looks like in the next 48 hours. The chase course is almost there, but there are still one or two problem areas. 

"We'll look at everything. There's no point saying we're going to just inspect the hurdles course. I wouldn't say we're any better than we were yesterday, but we're not getting any worse."

A fairly dry outlook is expected for the remainder of the week, although Wednesday's forecast will be key to how conditions shape up before Thursday's inspection.

Cooper added: "On Monday we had 6.5mm of rainfall with heavy showers and today we've had light showers. Wednesday will be a key day for us as there's still quite a bit of uncertainty about whether Sandown will be impacted by a weather system coming from the west.

"One level could mean we get no rain at all, but another level could bring quite a damp spell, but once that's out of the way Thursday looks like it'll be dry. Friday has a hint of some rain and Saturday looks okay."

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