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First the good news.

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel for racing in the British Isles! Today's all weather fixtures at Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton have both passed morning inspections, But the really good news is at Ffoslas, where the course has passed this morning's inspection by Clerk of the Course Tim Long, and barring any further snow and ice, (Which is not in the current weather forecast), then the South Wales course could become the first to stage a turf based national hunt meeting in Britain for some time.

However, with the weather forecast suggesting warmer conditions are working their way into the British Isles, Huntingdon have receivved permission to put tomorrow's scheduled meeting back to Saturday, and if the expected thaw materialises over the next 24 hours, it is likely Huntingdon will beat Ffoslas for the privilege of staging the first post snow and ice turf meeting in around a fortnight.

Later this afternoon, Kempton joined the party, for after examining his turf course at 3.00 pm, Clerk of the Course Barney Clifford gave an upbeat assessment of turf national hunt racing taking place at the track on Saturday, and he has decided to re-examine the course at 7.30 am on Friday morning, with the possibility of racing going ahead described as 'fifty fifty'.

More good news came from Fairyhouse late this morning, as Irish Turf Club officials confirmed, although exhibiting 'heavy ground', the two circuits at the Irish course have also been passed fit for racing to take place on Sunday.

Musselburgh beaten by the cold .

Optimistic earlier in the week about a two day national hunt meeting on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 January, Musselburgh officials today admitted the forecast thaw had not materialised, and with a further dusting of snow having fallen on the East Lothian track overnight, Clerk of the Course Andrea Morshead was left with no option this morning but to abandon any chances of staging the proposed two day meeting.

Thurles and Cork join the list of cancellations.

As expected, the all chase card scheduled for Thurles on Friday afternoon has been cancelled due to unraceable conditions. In addition, Irish Turf Club officials have also called off Sunday's card at Cork after an inspection found the course was waterlogged and was totally unlikely to recover in time for Sunday's meeting.

Wetherby doubtful ahead of Friday look.

Wetherby Clerk of the Course Jonjo Sanderson has indicated he will inspect the Yorkshire track at 8.00 am on Friday morning ahead of Saturday's planned fixture, but with fresh snow having fallen on the trak on Wednesday night, he admits the chances of raing taking place are rmote.

24 still involved in Queen Mother Champion Chase.

At today's latest decleration stage for the Cheltenham Festival Queen Mother Champion Chase, 24 horses have stood their ground.

Masterminded, the winner for the last two years, heads the list of runners, as he looks to emulate the triple winning feat of Badsworth Boy, (winner in consecutive years 1983 - 1984 - 1985).

The reigning champion will certainly have to have recovered from the rib injury which has kept him off the track since his third in the Connaught Cup in November, for he faces stiff competition from a whole group of potential Irish raiders, including; the 2009 Arkle Trophy winner Forpadydeplasterer, 2006 winner New Mill, Big Zeb, Paddy Power Gold cup winner Tranquil Sea, (although the Ryanair Chase could be his more likely target), and unbeaten novice chaser Sizing Europe also has an entry, but the Arkle Trophy could be his main objective.

Apart from Masterminded, Paul Nicholls has four other entries, including; Free World, I'msingingtheblues, Takeroc, and the very much in form Twist Magic, the latter of whom would be a real prospect if he could transfer his Sandown form to Cheltenham.

Well Chief, who has finished second in the Champion Chase on two occasions, including last year, will represent the David Pipe yard. While fellow West Country trainer Alan King has two entrants, including;2007 Champion Chase winner Voy Por Ustedes, (Although connections are believed to favour a run in the Ryanair Chase - a race in which he finished as runner up last year), and Oh Crick, the latter having won the Johnnie Henderson Grand Annual Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins dominates entry for Ryanair Chase.

Leading Irish national hunt trainer Willie Mullins has noe less than seven of the current 43 remaining entrants for the 2010 Ryanair Chase, including; Barker, Deutschland, Glencove Marina, J'Y Vole, Scots Irish, Snowy Morning, and Golden Silver, the latter of whom would have a real chance if the going for the Cheltenham Festival came up soft or heavy.

Other interesting Irish raiders are; Paul Nolan's novice chaser Joncol, who has by-passed the Cheltenham Gold Cup for an entry in the Ryanair, Noel Meade's enigmatic but very talented Aran Concerto, Edward O'Grady's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Tranquil Sea, last year's Ryanair third Schindlers Hunt, recent Tramore winner The Fonze, and Forpadydeplasterer, although the latter is far more likely to run in the Champion Chase.

Paul Nicholls has made no secret of the fact he has been aiming three time Cheltenham winner Poquelin at the Ryanair Chase, and he could be joined by four other Ditcheat stable mates, with Chapoturgeon, Gwanako, Herecomesthetruth, and Takeroc also having current entries.

Last year's Ryanair winner Imperial Commander has been kept in the field for this year's renewal, but trainer Nigel Twiston Davies is thought to be favouring a run in the Cheltenham Gold cup.

Nicky Henderson's Jack The Giant could be a very interesting entrant if he can recapture the good form he showed when last seen on a race track before injury sidelined him for over twelve months. While Henderson also has Barbers Shop, Petit Robin and Punchestown still entered in the Ryanair, it is probable all three will have other targets at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins seeking race for Tavern Times.

Currently the favourite with some bookmaking firms for the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, the Tom Mullins trained Tavern Times has not been seen on a racecourse since his impressive debut win in a Fairyhouse national hunt flat race in October 2009, but the trainer has today stated he is keen to find a suitable race prior to the Cheltenham Festival, and commented,

"We had planned to run him at the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting, but he had been held back in his work, and the recent cold weather means we cannot get him fit in time for Gowran Park next week. We will just have to take a look at the racing calendar and find a suitable race for him over the next three or four weeks".

Haslam handing the reins to his son.

Having first taken out his training license in 1971, Pat Haslam has enjoyed over a thousand winners from his dual purpose yard at Middleham, but the long established trainer has decided the time has come to hand over control of the yard to his 25 year old son Ben.

Brought up with horse racing in his blood, Ben Haslam has been shadowing his father's activities for some time, and Haslam senior is confident next month's transition will be seemless, with Ben Haslam becoming the holder of the training license from February 2010.

Moore changes tactics for Total Gallery.

Earlier in the week, Stan Moore indicated he would usethe Krisflyer International Sprint in Singapore as the main preparation for an assault on Royal Ascot's Kings Stand Stakes for his Prix de L'Abbaye winner Total Gallery.

However, a few days is a long time in racing, and Moore has now decided Total Gallery will go to Dubai to compete in the major sprint competitions being staged at the new Meydan Racecourse. It is not certain as to whether Total Gallery will race in the Dubai Carnival of Racing, or whether Moore will hold him back for the main prize at the World Cup Meeting in March.

408 Tattersalls purchases to compete for Tattersalls Millions.

A total of 408 two-year-olds who were purchased at Tattersalls Yearling Sales have been registered to race in the eight Tattersalls Millions races to be staged at major tracks during the 2010 turf based flat racing season.

Juveniles who were purchased for between 5,000 guineas and 700,000 Guineas are amongst the entries for the total prize fund of £1.75 million which is on offer during the eight race series.

Bradstock will let Carruthers take Gold Cup opportunity.

Mark Bradstock has confirmed his second year novice chaser Carruthers, who is amongst the current 27 entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, will be allowed to take his chance against the big battalions providing he goes into the race in 100% condition.

Fourth in last year's RSA Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, Carruthers has a proven liking for soft or heavy ground, and taking that into account, Bradstock said,

"He has shown improvement as this season has progressed, and we would like him to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold cup, but if the ground were to come up soft or heavy, I would give him every chance of making it into the frame".

Chelsea could be back for Liverpool.

Trainer Tom Mullins is delighted his old campaigner Chelsea Harbour has recovered entirely from an operation on his hind leg, and the handler is hopeful the experienced chaser will be fit in time to compete in the racing festivals at either Aintree or Punchestown.

"He picked up the injury in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, but the vets tell me the operation has been a complete success, and he looks good in light training. If all goes according to plan, we should have him fit to compete at Aintree or Punchestown".