The Lowdown: going updates, racecards, news and tips for today's racing

Today's news

• VIRUS PREPARATION: The potential of a threat to racing from coronavirus has sparked the creation of a special group to ensure the sport is at the maximum state of readiness with the Cheltenham Festival under two weeks away.

• STAR SIGNING: Four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson has joined the Racing Post as a columnist and ambassador as he prepares for his return to the saddle on Thursday.

• STAR STAYER:Dermot Weld launched a scathing criticism of the IHRB in the ongoing defamation case.

• GOLD STANDARD: Emmanuel Clayeux, the breeder of last year's Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, has backed his star chaser to retain his crown next month.

Key links

Today's racecards
Today's fast results
Today's non-runners
Today's free racing tips
Today's racing news
Latest free bets

Today's meetings

**STAR FIXTURE**
Kempton (AW) (first race: 5.30)
Evening racing comes from Kempton in the shape of a seven-race all-weather card with the feature race a London Mile Series Qualifier (7.00). Agent Of Fortune is the standout runner, having won a remarkable seven times since joining Gary Moore in December, while the Ed Walker-trained Sherpa Trail bids to remain unbeaten. Read our preview here.
Going: Standard to slow

Market Rasen (12.25)
Going Soft, heavy in places (chase); Soft, good to soft in places (hurdle)

Musselburgh (1.40)
Going Soft, heavy in places

Southwell (AW) (2.05)
Going Standard

Wincanton (2.18)
Going Soft, heavy in places (chase); soft (hurdle)

Key non-runners

Keep up to speed with today's non-runners and the latest changes with Raceday Live.

Today's tips

Tom Collins' top tip

Royal Astronomer (4.05 Southwell)

Son of Telescope who has improved with each run to date. Gelded since last seen, receives weight from two key rivals and can enhance Hughie Morrison's 23 per cent strike-rate at the track.

Live Tipster

Pietro Innocenzi provides live insight through the day on Raceday Live.

Today's video

Gavin Lynch and David Jennings are back for another episode of Upping The Ante, with bet365. The Racing Post Arkle is under the spotlight this time.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news