Leicester goes ahead after second inspection as frost forces Carlisle off

Leicester survived a second inspection to give racing the go-ahead for the only fixture in Britain on Sunday.

Carlisle's scheduled jumps card was called off earlier this morning due to frost, but conditions in Leicester were deemed raceable for the six-race card which starts at 12.55.

Leicester's clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "I knew pretty well what was going to happen, we're in the best part of the day now and there's no wind and the sun is out. It'll just get better now, we've been in the lap of the gods but we've come out the other end okay.

"It's soft up the home straight and mainly good to soft the rest, it might be a bit tacky."

A precautionary inspection at Carlisle was due to be held at 8am but it was brought forward with conditions deemed unraceable for the seven-race fixture – which included the Listed Houghton Mares' Chase.

The temperature was -2C at the time of the abandonment while snow is forecast later in the morning.

No fears at Fairyhouse as Honeysuckle all the rage

There are no reported concerns regarding conditions at Fairyhouse, where Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle is the star attraction in the Baroneracing.com Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2.40).

She has been well supported in the betting as she looks to extend her unbeaten record under rules to 13, with her price shortening to a general 1-3 (from 4-9).

Honeysuckle: fancied to extend unbeaten runCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Saldier is a significant drifter in that market, now 9-1 (from 17-2), while Sire Du Berlais is a notable absentee having been taken out due to the ground.

Last season's Stayers' Hurdle second was a general 16-1 chance and outsider Sams Profile will also miss the race.

Elsewhere, Three Stripe Life has been the big market mover in the Royal Bond (1.05) with his price cut to 7-2 (from 9-2) for the first of the three Grade 1 races on the card.

The Gordon Elliott-trained runner was a six-length winner at this track last time and the stable have won this race three times in the last four years.

Recent Down Royal winner Lifetime Ambition is a solid 5-2 (from 3-1) favourite in the Drinmore (1.35), with Cape Gentleman clipped to 4-1 (from 9-2).

The ground at Fairyhouse is good and it should stay dry.

Market movers

12.00
Alohamora 4-1 (from 7-1)

1.05
Three Stripe Life 7-2 (from 9-2)

1.35
Cape Gentleman 4-1 (from 9-2)

2.40
Honeysuckle 3-10 (from 4-9)

Non runners

1.35
4 Fire Attack

2.40
6 Sams Profile
7 Sire Du Berlais

3.10
11 An Epic Song
20 Jiving Jerry

Read previews for Sunday's racing

1.05 Fairyhouse: 'We were very impressed with him' - will My Mate Mozzie be the punters' pal?

1.35 Fairyhouse: 'He'll come on a hell of a lot for that run' - who is expecting a big display?

2.40 Fairyhouse: Return of the queen! Get Henry de Bromhead's thoughts on Honeysuckle

3.10 Fairyhouse: 'He comes in on a nice weight' - Willie Mullins has five for valuable handicap

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