Southwell passes second inspection

This afternoon's jumps fixture at Southwell goes ahead after the course passed a second inspection at 8am.

Rising temperatures, allied to a steady overnight thaw, offered cause for optimism to clerk of the course Roderick Duncan.

Mr Duncan said: “We dropped to zero at one stage last night, and the frost is slowly coming out of the ground.

“Temperatures are plus six and forecast to rise this morning."