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Waterlogging causes Uttoxeter cancellation.

Temperatures may have improved in the Midlands, but heavy overnight rain has now caused Uttoxeter's Thursday fixture to be cancelled.

The steeplechase course was already waterlogged on Tuesday, but officials had hoped to stage a 'hurdles only' card for their traditional New Year's Eve fixture, but with substantial overnight precipitation, even this option was negated.

Musselburgh forced to abandon New Year's Day meeting.

With a frozen track and a weather forecast suggesting more frost and possible snow over the next few days, officials at Musselburgh have realised the inevitability of their situation, and have decided to call an early cancellation of their traditional New Year's Day card.

Catterick doubtful ahead of Thursddday inspection.

Catterick Clerk of the Course Fiona Needham reports there is currently a one inch covering of snow on the Yorkshire track, and unless there is a dramatic improvement in conditions prior to a preposed inspection tomorrow morning, then the scheduled 01 January fixture looks in serious doubt.

Cheltenham deploy all around frost covers.

In an attempt to ensure their New Year's Day meeting goes ahead, ground staff at Cheltnham confirm they have laid frost covers on all the turf sections of the courses due to be used during the 01 January fixture.

Ayr decide to give an unlikely thaw one more chance.

With air temperatures at Ayr having barely been above zero since 12 December, the course has virtually been in deep freeze, and with the weather forecast suggesting this cold spell in Scotland is unlikely to abate in the next few days, Ayr have notified Racingsight, they believe there 12.00 noon inspection tomorrow will just confirm the cancellation of their scheduled meeting for Saturday 02 January 2010, but they have delayed their final decision in the hope an unlikely thaw materialises overnight.

With the current 'cold snap' now starting to decimate the national hunt programme at Ayr and Musselburgh, for obvious economic reasons, the Scottish based racecourses will be hoping for an early end to the on-going cold conditions.

Exeter all hurdle card now in jeopardy.

Exeter's planned all hurdle card for New Year's Day is understood to be under double threat from potential waterlogging or possible snow showers, and an inspection will be held tomorrow morning to ascertain as to whether the planned fixture can go ahead.

Cork fixture loses chases to waterlogging.

With the steeplechase course at Cork being already saturated, and with a weather forecast holding out no hope of a respite in the next two days, an early decision was made today to cancel the two chases planned for the Saturday 02 January card.

It is now hoped the fixture can still go ahead as a 'hurdles only' meeting, but that will be entirely dependant on the amount of precipitation the course receives over the next 48 hours.

Gold Cup option not likely for What A Friend.

In an interview today, Paul Nicholls indicated Lexus Chase winner What A Friend would only run in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup if anything were to go amiss with his two main intended entrants; Kauto Star and Denman.

This news would suggest the trainer is possibly thinking of races at either the Aintree or Punchestown Festivals as suitable options for the progressive six-year-old.

Walkon out for season.

A winner of two Grade 1 novice hurdles last term, and a close second to Zaynar in the JCB Triumph Hurdle in March, the Alan King trained Walkon had been expected to be a major player in this season's top class two mile hurdles, but an injury he picked up at Aintree in April will now keep him off the track for the whole of the current season.

However, connections expect Walkon to be a major player in the hurdling ranks for the 2010 2011 season.

Neptune likely target for Quantative Easing.

Despite putting in a comprehensive display over a shorter trip on Tuesday's card at Newbury, trainer Nicky Henderson has indicated he expects Quantative Easing to be best suited by the two and a half mile trip of the Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Ryanair now main target for Tranquil Sea.

Edward O'Grady admits he was delighted with Tranquil Sea's runners up spot behind Golden Silver in this week's Paddy Power sponsered Dial A Bet Chase at Leopardstown, saying,

"Considering the two mile trip was far too short for him, Tranquil Sea did exceptionally well to finish second in such a competitive Grade 1 race. We may or may not give him another run before the Cheltenham Festival, but the Ryanair Chase will be his main objective for this season." O'Grady added,

"He showed when winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup he likes Cheltenham, and if he can maintain his current form through to March, I think he must have every chance of collecting again in the Ryanair."