Racing beats the elements as Lingfield passes morning inspection

Turf racing returns on Monday with Lingfield joining Southwell in hosting a jumps fixture after passing a morning inspection.

Conditions will be testing and Lingfield clerk of the course George Hill wrote on Twitter: "Racing goes ahead. Heavy [on the turf] standard [all-weather]. Slight ground frost on the cottage bend and up the hill."

With the worst of the conditions behind us, there are no anticipated problems on the all-weather, either at Wolverhampton or Kempton.

The latter is a jumpers' bumper meeting, which with the best will in the world we may not have any further need for after today.

Going report

Kempton (first race at: 2.00)
Standard to slow

Lingfield (2.10)
Heavy (standard on the all-weather). GoingStick 5.8.
Second hurdle up the hill will be omitted.

Race distances:
Race 2 & 4: +15 yards
Race 3 & 7: -17 yards
Race 5: -25 yards
Race 6: +20 yards

Southwell (2.20)
Soft, heavy in places
First fence and hurdle in the back straight will be omitted.

Wolverhampton (5.45)
Standard

Market movers

2.30 Kempton: Tommy Silver into 2-5 (from 1-2)
3.30 Kempton: Zubayr into 7-4 (from 9-4)
7.15 Wolverhampton: Sunshineandbubbles into 2-1 (from 11-4)

What to back

Nick Watts has a bet that will take just ten seconds to lay out.

What to read

It is unlikely that anyone is nostalgic for The Beast From The East already, but the story is worth reliving and is told here.

Despite a lack of action on the track, there were still plenty of developments for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival. The main ones can be found here.

What to watch

One for the Flat fans, as Michael Bell takes his string, including Big Orange, on a walk down Newmarket High Street.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Check out the Sports Postcast, previewing tonight's match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

Final thought

On the day that turf racing returns after a week's absence, four of the countries five all-weather courses are due to race. It's a mildly cruel joke from the fixture list, but we will accept it just to see horses on grass again.