Going set to be soft for Stan James King George VI Chase

Kempton clerk of the course Brian Clifford is anticipating ground on the softer side for tomorrow's Stan James King George VI Chase.

The Sunbury track saw some rain overnight and more is forecast ahead of the Boxing Day highlight, which is due to feature Kauto Star's bid for back-to-back victories under Ruby Walsh.

Clifford said: "We have had five millimetres of rain and we are forecast maybe another five. Obviously that will ease things, but we are currently good to soft, soft in places.

"We are forecast a nice mild, sunny day tomorrow though, which will help things and we are looking forward to a great King George."

A full British programme looks set to go ahead with no problems reported at any of the eight tracks.

Wetherby have the Grade Three skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase as their feature event and clerk of the course James Sanderson is more than satisfied with conditions at the track.

He said: "We had four millimetres of rain overnight so I have changed it to good to soft.

"I'm not expecting any further significant rain for the next 48 hours, just a light shower or two, so it's all systems go."

Huntingdon, Market Rasen and Towcester have also seen some rain but no problems are anticipated at any of the venues.

Fiona Needham, Huntingdon's clerk, said: "We have had five millimetres so far and we are forecast another four. The going is good, good to soft in places and no problems are expected."

That report was echoed by Market Rasen's Nick Patton, who added: "We have had 13 millimetres of rain in the last 24 hours and going is now soft, good to soft in places.

"The forecast is good and we are not expecting any problems."

Towcester are similarly set fair ahead of their seven-race card.

Clerk of the course Robert Bellamy said: "We remain good to soft, soft in places.

"We had five millimetres of rain overnight and further rain is forecast but we aren't anticipating any problems at this stage."

Wincanton's Rebecca Morgan is expecting conditions to ease at the Somerset venue before their meeting kicks off tomorrow.

"We had 10 millimetres of rain overnight but there are no worries at present," she said.

"We are currently good to soft but I anticipate a change before racing once the rain has got into the ground."

Morgan later changed the official going to soft after a further two millimetres of rain.