Chepstow confident of surviving cold snap before rescheduled Welsh National

Officials at Chepstow are confident Saturday's rescheduled Coral Welsh Grand National meeting will beat the cold snap.

There is a positive outlook from the three tracks hosting Graded action on Saturday, with Chepstow, Kempton and Wincanton all optimistic they can beat the cold temperatures expected towards the end of the week.

The Welsh National was called off on December 27 after heavy rain the night before, but it has been mostly dry since and frost covers will be put down on the course.

Phil Bell, director at Chepstow, said: "The track's in great shape and you can race on it today easily. We've had very little rain since the night before the Welsh National and it's getting a bit chilly, so we'll be laying frost covers on Monday. I think we'd be confident at the moment and looking at the forecast."

Kempton's weekend card includes the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle, which was moved after Cheltenham's New Year's Day fixture was also victim of heavy rainfall.

Kempton: due to have eight races on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Barney Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton, said: "It's going to be a cold week but not desperately cold in the London area. We'll probably get down to 0C or -1C.

"There was a lot of damage on the second day [of the King George meeting], so the track's not quite back yet and we'll be covering take-offs and landings and move rails. There's a lot to do and we'll see how cold it is, but we're optimistic at this stage."

Wincanton's eight-race card also includes the Paddy Power Dipper Novices' Chase, which is another moved from Cheltenham.

Daniel Cooper, clerk of the course at Wincanton, said: "It's looking well and we've got a really settled week, so it should be a lovely soft ground description all week.

"There's certainly a weather watch later in the week and we'll make a mid-week decision on sheets or covers, but we're in a good position."

Kempton and Wincanton pick up cancelled Cheltenham contests

In Ireland, Fairyhouse passed a morning inspection before Sunday's meeting but frost could cause problems for racing at Clonmel on Thursday.

The south of England is forecast a cold but dry week, while the north can expect rain, sleet and show showers.

Read more:

Harry Fry has Grade 1 star to enjoy as top novice Metier dazzles in Sandown mud

Members' Club: how previous winners of the Tolworth fared at Cheltenham in March

Sandy Thomson in dreamland after fairytale win for 'immense' Seeyouatmidnight

Doitforthevillage rolls back the years to regain winning thread on veterans' day

'That's what it's all about' – Simon Dow gets 2021 off to a flyer with treble

Download the free Racing Post app for cards, form, tips, in-app betting and to watch live races. Download for free at racingpost.com/mobile or search Racing Post app