Britain's racing programme is holding its breath as a deep freeze threatens to disrupt valuable fixtures this Saturday. The high-profile cards at both Kempton Park and Warwick Racecourse are now subject to precautionary inspections at 8am on Saturday morning due to the threat of overnight frost.
Course Officials Adopt Cautious Stance
While Kempton was initially declared fit for racing on Friday afternoon, a revised weather forecast predicting sub-zero temperatures forced a change of heart. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford explained the decision, stating the track is now forecast to experience temperatures as low as -2C or -3C overnight. "It's prudent to call a precautionary inspection," Clifford said.
At Warwick, clerk Nessie Chanter reported the course as "raceable at present." However, with a forecast of -2C frost between 4am and 8am, officials have similarly opted for a safety-first approach, leaving jump racing fans in suspense.
Key Races Hang in the Balance
The potential postponements put several feature races at risk. The highlight at Kempton is the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (3.17), which has attracted a field of 17 runners. Trainer Dan Skelton, victorious in the race for the past two seasons, aims for a hat-trick with A Pai De Nom, a three-time winner this season.
However, the six-year-old faces his toughest task yet. The competitive field includes promising contenders like Lanesborough and French Ship. The eye-catching selection at early prices is Fasol (3.17), trained by Paul Nicholls. The seven-year-old, ridden to his last two wins by the trainer's daughter Olive Nicholls, is seeking a hat-trick and is priced around 12-1.
Saturday's Key Selections and Tips
Should the meetings beat the frost, here are some of the day's notable tips and runners:
Warwick 1.15: A Great Excuse, carrying a useful 5lb claim from jockey Jamie Brace, could decide a tight novice handicap chase.
Kempton 1.30: Dan Skelton's Precious Man made an impressive debut for his new stable in a strong juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham in November.
Warwick 1.52: A fascinating Grade Two novice chase where Moon Rocket could offer value if returning to the form of his chase debut.
Kempton 2.40: Kalif Du Berlais, a Grade One-winning novice chaser, is expected to improve from his last run in the Haldon Gold Cup.
Warwick 2.55: Sara Bradstock's stable star, Mr Vango, will be tough to beat if he finds his rhythm over a marathon trip once more.
The decisions at 8am will determine the fate of a significant day in the National Hunt calendar, with officials prioritising safety in the face of the continuing cold snap.
