Frost covers deployed at Sandown

Sandown have deployed frost covers in an effort to safeguard Saturday's exciting fixture.

With Britain forecast to be in the grip of icy weather by the middle of the week, Sandown clerk of the course Andrew Cooper has pre-empted the start of the cold snap at the Esher venue.

The Betfred Goals Galore Challengers Novices' Chase is the Grade One highlight a card which is also due to feature Champion Hurdle hopeful Binocular.

"We are covering the track today and it will all be done by the close of play," Cooper said on Monday afternoon.

"We decided the cover the track in view of the forecast for later in the week which is for some very cold days and nights.

"It could be very cold on Wednesday and Thursday night, perhaps down to -4C and the the temperature range for Friday daytime is 0C to 2C.

"We've put the covers down the night before racing but we've never used them for as many days as this.

"We will see what happens but we will be monitoring the situation on a day-to-day basis and updating everyone when necessary. We have done all we can."

Wetherby are also due to race on Saturday, with the totepool.com Towton Novices' Chase the highlight.

Clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson said: "We will be covering all the worn, vulnerable areas. The worst case scenario is cold nights from Tuesday to Saturday and I have seen minus 3C forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

"We will cover the vulnerable areas and keep everyone updated."

Wincanton have already taken steps to protect their ground ahead of Thursday's meeting with clerk of the course Barry Johnson laying fleece covers on take-offs, landings and bypass areas of the track.

Johnson said: "Sadly we're forecast a bitterly cold few days that will warm up later in the week.

"We've covered what we can and I expect it could go to the wire."

Newcastle has also put down the frost sheets in anticipation of Wednesday's meeting with the track currently described as raceable despite three nights of light frost.