Doncaster track to be inspected before the Sky Bet Chase
The track at Doncaster will be inspected before the Sky Bet Chase today on Saturday, January 28, 2012. Although, the temperature is expected to be fine for the race, the officials want to carry out an inspection just as a precautionary measure.
Jon Pullin, clerk of the course, stated, “The forecast overnight is predicted to hover above freezing and if the forecast is correct then we shouldn't have a problem. We have decided to hold an inspection just as a precaution in case the forecast does
dip below freezing. We have covered take-offs and landings.”
Hold On Julio was tipped as the favourite for the Doncaster’s chase, but he will not be taking part in it anymore. His trainer, Alan King, feels that the nine-year-old horse was not ready for the event on Saturday.
Chase races have proved to be the strength for Hold On Julio, as he has enjoyed a 100 percent success rate in such events. He has entered three in his career until now and has been victorious in all of them.
This might be the reason why Alan King does not want to risk him in the race, at a time he is not well prepared for it.
Other than Doncaster, there were also some concerns over the races in Cheltenham on Saturday. The cold weather and rain has been a problem over the past couple of days, but things look good at the moment.
Simon Claisse, clerk of course at Cheltenham, was not bothered about the conditions and expected the races to go as planned. Thursday night saw some snowfall at the track, but the frost covers were laid and no damage was done.
According to Claisse, “The covers have gone on today and we don't expect any problems if the conditions are what we have experienced before. It is forecast to be a dry day with highs of 6C.”
Cheltenham will host the grade two Argento Chase today, which has attracted nine entries. Diamond Harry and Time For Rupert are expected to fight for victory in the race. They have been given a starting price of 7 to 2, and have been performing really
well recently.
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