A weather eye on thaw at Sandown

CHELTENHAM aspirants could endure another frustrating Saturday off unless temperatures rise significantly to guarantee Sandown's valuable Agfa day goes ahead.

Following the loss of all last weekend's jump fixtures, Festival contenders, particularly Champion Hurdle hopes, are now being aimed at Sandown to gain some big match fitness.

But the meeting, which features the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, Agfa Hurdle, Agfa Diamond Chase and Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle, has only a "50-50" chance of going ahead, according to the clerk of the course, Andrew Cooper.

Some bookmakers have already opened betting lists on the £40,000 Tote contest, but Cooper warned that although the snow has melted some areas of the track remain heavily frostbound.

"The course looks better than it is, particularly in areas that have obviously been raced over. There are hard parts that are still frozen solid, he reported.

"We are getting a very, very slow thaw at the moment. I am told it is slightly improved today but we are still some way away from betting a raceable surface.

"It's all down to the weather. It looks as though on Friday night the temperature will be as high as we will have it this week. But between now and then it will be predominantly cold.

"We will see how the land lies on Thursday morning. It would be pointless having an official look before Friday morning. The prospects at the moment can't be any better than 50-50 and I certainly couldn't use phrases like optimistic."

The Agfa Hurdle has attracted a field that includes the David Elsworth trio Absalom's Lady, Atours and Oh So Risky.

Today's meeting at Windsor became the fourth turf fixture of the week to fall victim to the weather after failing an inspection yesterday. Despite a slight thaw overnight, there was still frost and snow on the course and clerk of the course Hugo Bevan decided to abandon racing after looking at the track.

Towcester and Sedgefield will hold inspections at 9.30 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. respectively today to see if tomorrow's fixtures can take place. Kelso will also hold an inspection today at 3.30 p.m. to determine whether or not Friday's meeting can go ahead.