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Sandown's Grade 1 ITV card on Saturday passes inspection - but course still monitoring conditions

Sandown got the all-clear after two morning inspections
The ground at Sandown is soft, heavy in places on the chase track and heavy, soft in places on the hurdles courseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sandown will continue to closely monitor the forecast ahead of Saturday's Scilly Isles Novices' Chase card, despite its chase and hurdles tracks passing an inspection on Thursday.

The wet weather across Britain has caused disruption to racing this week and an all-chase meeting was an option at Sandown following heavy rain. However, both courses got the green light to stage a seven-race card, with three hurdles, three chases and a bumper planned. 

Five of those will headline the ITV action, including the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, which has attracted a field of four including Jango Baie and Handstands.

"The way we were looking at the close of play Wednesday and after a dry night, we didn't need to wait any longer to make the call, as we were able to say both tracks are raceable," Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said on Thursday morning.

"It involved a bit of imagination with rail movements in places around patches that were borderline raceable, but we're fine for now. 

"The home straight on the hurdles track will be very testing and we're omitting what would be the last flight in the back straight to move onto nicer, consistent ground. Remarkably, the chase course does not walk softer."

However, rain is forecast on Friday morning and Cooper will keep a close eye on it. The going is currently soft, heavy in places on the chase track and heavy, soft in places on the hurdles course.

He added: "While we're set for a lovely day Thursday, there's rain around on Friday until 10am and it could be up to 5mm. If there's doubt about the rain we'll judge on it. We can't do any more at this time, but if the rain causes any issues then we'll react accordingly."

Musselburgh water for Saturday's card

Musselburgh has no concerns for its two-day bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials meeting, with watering taking place on Thursday. The going is good to soft and seven of its races this weekend will be broadcast on ITV.

Clerk of the course Rory Innes said: "It was stormy last week with the winds, but we didn't really get the rain from it. The ground is in great nick and we're putting a spot of water on to maintain it.

"Because we're a sand-based track it dries out quicker. Storm damage last week to the wings of fences and running rails took us two days to repair, but we're all good to go."


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