Natural History well backed for Sandown finale with testing conditions to suit

Natural History has had a surge in support towards the top of the market in the concluding 2m handicap hurdle at Sandown (3.35) as soft ground specialists continue to be backed on the card after ground conditions eased in the morning.

The Gary Moore-trained seven-year-old was sent off favourite for the Imperial Cup over course and distance last season and has been well below par in two starts this term, including when beaten 18 lengths by the progressive Tommy's Oscar at Doncaster last month.

However, Natural History has some good form on heavy ground when trained on the Flat by Andrew Balding, including winning a Class 2 handicap and finishing a narrow second in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes on that official description.

Punters have latched onto his chances and he is now 9-2 with Paddy Power (from 7 on Friday) to win for the second time over hurdles.

Outsider Dashing Perk also performs best in soft conditions or worse and has been supported into a general 16-1 (from 22) to run a big race in the Veterans' Chase Series Final (3.00).

The 11-year-old has not won since scoring at Sandown over 2m4½f in November 2019 and was pulled up in a qualifier for this race behind Blaklion at Haydock last month.

However, he has finished runner-up on ground officially described as soft as well as winning his novice hurdle by 22 lengths on heavy going four years ago.

3.00 Sandown: Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase card and betting

Conditions have also become testing at Wincanton and Belle De Manech has been backed to continue her impressive record at the track in the 1m7½f handicap chase (2.05).

The Anthony Honeyball-trained mare bids to make it three wins from four starts at the track having won decisively by 14 lengths at the Somerset course over 2m4f last month. She is now 7-2 with Paddy Power (from 5) to defy a 10lb rise.

Market movers

12.40 Sandown
Gauloise 4-5 (from Evs)

3.00 Sandown
Gwencily Berbas 15-2 (from 8)
Dashing Perk 16-1 (from 22)

3.35 Sandown
Natural History 9-2 (from 7)

2.05 Wincanton
Belle De Manech 7-2 (from 5)

Heavy features in Sandown and Wincanton going as rain hits tracks

Officials at Sandown have no doubt the ground could soften further during its Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle card this afternoon with heavier rain forecast to hit the track between late morning and early afternoon.

A band of rain has arrived at the Esher track and is expected to worsen throughout the morning, with up to 12mm of rainfall possible, and has already forced the chase track's going to be eased to soft, heavy in places (from soft, good to soft in places), while the hurdles track remains heavy, soft in places.

Saturday's cards

Andrew Cooper, clerk of the course and director of racing at Sandown, said at 9.30am: "The rain has only in the last hour got to us in any shape or form, it's coming from the west.

"Our forecast is for heavier rain late morning, with potentially heavier stuff in the early afternoon too. We could see up to between 8-12mm of it, which would be enough on top of what we have had already to change it during racing – I've no doubt it would ease a bit on both courses."

While conditions could turn testing, Cooper is unconcerned about that prospect for the seven-race card, which also features the popular Veterans' Chase Series Final (3.05).

He added: "A nice, proper winter day's jumping looks in store in terms of the weather and some good quality action. It'll be a good day."

The going has also changed at Wincanton, which stages four races on ITV4, with the hurdles track soft, heavy in places and chase course soft all over, with further rainfall at the track likely.

Clerk of the course Daniel Cooper said: "We could get up to 12mm of rain throughout the rest of the day, but realistically I'd expect we'll get about 7mm. It's a bit of a miserable day unfortunately."

Non-runners

Sandown

12.05 5. Raqisa

Wincanton

12.20 4. Hatos
12.55 1. Blue Stello
2.05 4. Glajou, 9. Le Coeur Net
2.40 3. Getalead, 13. Straight Swap

Full book of cards in Britain and Ireland as Newcastle and Cork get the go-ahead

Today's fixtures at Newcastle and Cork will go ahead as planned having been deemed fit for racing following inspections this morning.

Areas of frozen ground had given officials cause for concern at Newcastle for their seven-race jumps card, which begins with an all-weather mares' bumper at 12.13, with temperatures having dropped to as low as -1.25°C overnight.

However, temperatures have risen this morning and further rainfall has left the track fit for racing, with the ground described as good to soft, soft in places.

Newcastle has beat the elements and stages racing on SaturdayCredit: Jonathan Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Naughton, standing in as raceday clerk of the course for Newcastle's regular clerk Eloise Quayle, said: "It was bits down the back straight where frost was just sitting on top of the surface, but I've walked the track twice already this morning and I'm soaked, but the stick was going in lovely.

"As the morning goes on, I'll keep getting happier as the rain gets into the ground. We've been lucky this week."

Officials at Cork had called for a check after there was a possibility of up to 12mm of rain overnight, but only 2mm of that materialised to give racing the green light, with the seven-race card due to get underway at 12.30.

In a statement on Twitter, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: "Following an inspection this morning, Cork Racecourse was found to be fit for racing and the fixture scheduled for today goes ahead.

"The going remains heavy following 2mm rain overnight. It's currently raining, clearing later this morning with the potential for further showers."

Updated at 11.40am

Saturday's race previews:

2.25 Sandown: 'I hope it wasn't a flash in the pan' – Nicky Henderson on Constitution Hill

2.40 Wincanton: 'Absolute star' Getalead gunning for fourth win for up-and-coming yard

3.00 Sandown: 'This has been on the radar for a long time' – golden oldies take centre stage

3.15 Wincanton: former Grade 1 winner Slate House returns to chasing off a career-low mark

3.35 Sandown: which handicap hurdler does the trainer believe to be 'very well handicapped'?

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