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Tracks not expecting any issues for stellar cards on a super Saturday

Tritonic (Adrian Heskin) beats Onemorefortheroad (Bryony Frost) in the 2m handicap hurdleAscot 18.12.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Areas, including in front of the grandstand at Ascot, have been put under coversCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ascot and Haydock are not expecting any interruptions from the weather ahead of their Saturday fixtures, where the Grade 1 SBK Clarence House Chase and Peter Marsh Chase are the highlights.

Friday's action was diminished when Market Rasen was called off shortly before midday due to areas of frost, but neither Ascot or Haydock are predicting any similar problems for their cards.

The going at Ascot was described as soft, good to soft in places on Friday, with temperatures having dipped to -2C overnight.

Freezing temperatures are also possible on Friday night into Saturday, but clerk of the course Chris Stickels does not believe there will be any issues with the conditions.

"We don't anticipate as cold a night on Friday and we're looking forward to it," he said.

"We're soft, good to soft in places and we've covered the take-offs, landings and the area shaded by the stand as a precaution. With the forecast as it is we cannot see there being any issue."

Similar sentiments apply to Haydock, with the weather being "milder than usual" for the region, according to clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright.

"We've had an unseasonably dry January, and while the ground will be deep, it won't be as deep as it can be here at this time of year," he said. "It's soft, heavy in places and it's not been too cold at all. We're looking forward to a good day of racing."

Racing also takes place at Taunton, Lingfield, Navan and Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Saturday cards and betting


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Peter ScargillDeputy industry editor

Published on 21 January 2022inNews

Last updated 17:51, 21 January 2022

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