Racing holds its breath as deep freeze threatens weekend programme

The valuable meetings at Warwick and Kempton on Saturday are subject to inspections at 8am due to the threat of overnight frost as cold weather continues to threaten the racing programme.

Kempton was initially declared fit for racing on Friday afternoon but a revised forecast for sub-zero temperatures overnight forced Barney Clifford, the clerk of the course, to adopt a more cautious approach.

“We’re now forecast a -2C or possibly -3C [frost] tonight,” Clifford said, “so it’s prudent to call a precautionary inspection.”

Nessie Chanter, the clerk of the course at Warwick, said that the course was “raceable at present” but the forecast was for a -2C frost between 4am and 8am overnight.

A field of 17 runners is due to go to post for Kempton’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at 3.17, when Dan Skelton, the successful trainer for the past two seasons, will be hoping to complete a hat-trick with A Pai De Nom, a winner three times already this season.

The six-year-old faces by far his stiffest assignment to date, however, and several opponents at bigger prices go into the race with a similar chance on the book. Lanesborough and French Ship are two of the more obvious candidates, but the eye-catcher at the early prices is Paul Nicholls’ Fasol (3.17) at around 12-1.

The seven-year-old has won his last two starts with Olive Nicholls, the trainer’s daughter, in the saddle for both victories, and had more than enough in hand at Musselburgh last time to suggest a hat-trick is a distinct possibility.

Warwick 1.15 Jamie Brace’s 5lb claim on A Great Excuse could tip the balance in a tight novice handicap chase.

Kempton 1.30 Dan Skelton’s Precious Man made a fine start for his new stable in a traditionally strong juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham in November.

Fairyhouse 1.40 Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old Inthepocket has just five races to his name over fences and looked sure to improve for the run on his belated handicap debut at Navan in December.

Warwick 1.52 A fascinating Grade Two novice chase, with Moon Rocket possibly the pick of the prices if back to the form of his chase debut at Doncaster in November.

Kempton 2.05 With significant doubts over Soul Icon’s stamina and Welcome To Cartries’ consistency, The Doyen Chief looks like the safest option at around 100-30 as he drops back to three miles having been stretched by an extra two furlongs last time.

Warwick 2.25 Soldier’s Leap won with any amount in hand at Uttoxeter in November but still posted a useful time and has scope for another win off an 11lb higher mark.

Kempton 2.40 Kalif Du Berlais, a Grade One-winning novice chaser, was the beaten favourite in the Haldon Gold Cup but the first two home there were both winners next time and the six-year-old should improve for the outing.

Warwick 2.55 Sara Bradstock’s stable star, Mr Vango, showed further improvement under a big weight at Aintree in December and will be tough to pass if he gets into a rhythm back over a marathon trip.

Warwick 3.32 Lud D’Or remains progressive and will appreciate the step up to three miles.