Sandown's Saturday Imperial Cup card called off due to waterlogged course

Saturday's card at Sandown, which was due to feature the Paddy Power Imperial Cup, has been cancelled with the track waterlogged.

The decision was made after an inspection was brought forward from midday to 8.30am on Friday.

Sandown was hit with 18mm of rain on Thursday, which led to the cancellation of Friday's card at the course.

ITV Racing was scheduled to broadcast four races from Sandown on Saturday. In addition to the Imperial Cup, the meeting also featured a Listed bumper and the Grade 3 European Breeders' Fund Paddy Power Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final.

Wolverhampton Saturday card

ITV's revised show will feature three races from Ayr and Wolverhampton. The latter will stage the Lincoln Handicap Trial and Lady Wulfruna Stakes, both sponsored by Bombardier.

Jump racing prospects

Saturday
Sandown Abandoned
Ayr Soft, heavy in places
Hereford Soft, heavy in places
Gowran Soft, heavy in places (hurdle); heavy (chase)

Sunday
Southwell Soft (hurdle and chase); standard (all-weather)
Warwick Soft, good to soft in places (chase); soft (hurdle)
Naas Soft (chase); yielding to soft (hurdle)

Monday
Plumpton Heavy (will inspect at 8am on Sunday)
Stratford Heavy, soft in places (chase) and soft, heavy in places (hurdle), waterlogged in areas but optimistic racing will go ahead
Taunton Heavy, waterlogged in places

Tuesday
Cheltenham Soft
Sedgefield Soft (no problems expected)

Andrew Cooper, clerk of the course at Sandown, said: "Following 18mm of rain yesterday, we brought forward the planned course inspection and unfortunately racing has had to be abandoned. A number of areas of the chase and hurdle courses are waterlogged and will not improve in time for Saturday’s meeting.“

Saturday's racing is set to take place at Ayr, Hereford, Chelmsford and Wolverhampton. Gowran Park will stage jumps action in Ireland.

Plumpton will stage an inspection at 8am on Sunday to assess conditions for its meeting on Monday.

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