Southwell subject to morning inspection

Saturday’s meeting at Southwell must pass a precautionary inspection at 7.45am.

Overnight temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing ahead of the six-race card, which features the Sky Bet Chase – the richest race ever to be run at the Nottinghamshire track.

“After an initial forecast that we may get down to minus four overnight, we have had a more favourable update of temperatures only going to around the minus two region,” said clerk of the course Jon Pullin.

“I’d be very hopeful racing will go ahead if that is the case.

“We’ve been frost free all week and the track is in terrific nick, so we’ll just keep everything crossed.”

The going for the meeting, which is Southwell’s first jumps meeting since last August, is currently good to soft.