Inspection Scheduled for Haydock at 8am Friday before Saturday’s Peter Marsh Card

The track at Cheltenham has been covered, but due to frozen surfaces and sub-zero temperatures expected for the next two nights, there is no chance of improvement. The weekend’s card was supposed to feature a highly anticipated race between El Fabiolo and Jonbon in the Grade 1 feature. Meanwhile, Haydock’s Saturday fixture will undergo an inspection on Friday morning.

Last season, the Clarence House was added to Cheltenham’s Trials day card after Ascot froze 12 months ago. However, the connections of El Fabiolo have stated that he would not participate if the race was rescheduled. Haydock has been frozen since Tuesday, and after temperatures dropped to -7C on Wednesday night, an inspection has been scheduled. A lighter frost is expected on Thursday night, with a thaw beginning on Friday morning.

The clerk of the course, Kirkland Tellwright, is giving Haydock’s first Premier fixture every chance, stating that they don’t want to be premature in abandoning the event. They will wait until Friday to make a decision. In Lincolnshire, temperatures dropped to -8C on Wednesday night, resulting in frozen ground under the frost sheets. This has affected a seven-race card, including a Listed bumper race that may be rearranged for Market Rasen’s next meeting on February 6.

The Somerset venue also needs to survive a 12pm inspection on Friday, with a forecast of -3C frost on Thursday night. Racing Post has the best offers, all in one place.