Newbury 'more than hopeful' Challow card will get the go-ahead

There will be an 8.30 inspection in advance of Tuesday's meeting at Newbury – which features the Grade 1 MansionBet Challow Novices' Hurdle – although clerk of the course Keith Ottesen is "more than hopeful" racing will go ahead.

"We've had a ground frost and a little bit of snow, but that hasn't hung around," said Ottesen on Monday morning. "We could get some more wintry showers today and the maximum temperature is two or three degrees, going down to zero and minus one overnight."

Ottesen added: "We would have raced today as we covered most of the track with fleece to give it some protection. At the moment we would be more than hopeful."

Kelso's fixture is subject to an inspection an hour earlier in case temperatures fall lower than the forecast 1C overnight.

Clerk of the course Matthew Taylor said: "The inspection is there as a precaution, but if the forecast is correct we should be fine.

"It was forecast to be -1C last night but it went lower, so if it was to go lower again overnight we might be in a bit of trouble.

"The ground is soft and we've had a few nights of frost so it's going to ride dead."

Cheltenham is heavy, waterlogged in places ahead of Friday's New Year's Day fixture after 110mm of rain since the previous meeting concluded on December 12.

More sleet and snow is forecast on Tuesday, but drier weather is predicted from Thursday onwards.

Haydock's card on Wednesday was called off 48 hours in advance after heavy rain was followed by a four-inch covering of snow.

The news was a blow to racegoers in the north-west of England as Haydock was under a Tier 2 regime and would have played host to up to 2,000 spectators.

Haydock's cancellation followed the loss of Chepstow's Welsh Grand National fixture on Sunday, and cards at Fontwell and Leicester on Monday.

Thursday's meeting at Uttoxeter has suffered the same fate due to waterlogging. An all-weather meeting at Newcastle has been added that day.

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