Arctic conditions continue to savage the fixture list but Plumpton’s use of frost covers ensured their meeting went ahead and allowed Kruguyrova to take the Betfair SP As It Should Be Novices’ Chase.

DAVID ENGLAND returned from a six-month spell on the injury list to partner a winner at Leicester and put himself in line for a ride or two at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tony McCoy showed once again why he is the preferred choice of the punters as he forced 1-2 favourite The Local home in the opener at Leicester.

Presumptuous, part-owned by former trainer Jack Berry and his son Sam, landed his second race over timber in the hands of David O’Meara in the Betfred Handicap Hurdle at Southwell.