Extra fixtures on sand to help fill racing void

There will be no National Hunt racing in Britain until Tuesday at the earliest with a combination of snow and frost leading to countless abandonments, so BHA officials have added fixtures at Kempton, Lingfield and Southwell.

Kempton's Monday card will be made up of six races and entries will close at noon today. Additional meetings will also be staged at Lingfield on Tuesday and Southwell on Wednesday, although the details of those cards have yet to be confirmed.

While further all-weather fixtures have been organised, the abandonment of yesterday's meetings at Lingfield and Kempton are proof that not even they are guaranteed to go ahead. Although the surface at both venues was raceable, the meetings had to be called off due to a shortage of ambulances.

The widespread treacherous conditions have led to a prioritising of National Health Service resources.

Lingfield are due to race again today and a spokesman said ambulances have been arranged. Officials are now keeping their fingers crossed the weather does not deteriorate.

Southwell should race today after coming through yesterday's fixture – pictured above – without any problems, while officials at Wolverhampton will stage an 8.30am inspection to assess the prospects of racing at Dunstall Park.

Monday's meetings at Ayr and Taunton have also been called off, while Newcastle need a 'small miracle' to race on Tuesday.

At Southwell yesterday, Harlech Castle registered a double on the Fibresand in the betdaq.co.uk Handicap. Jim Boyle's Epsom raider scored at the Midlands venue over the Festive period to beat Onceaponatime and again came out on top as the pair once more did battle.

Declan Carroll was the trainer to follow, completing a tasty 155-1 double as 11-1shot Miss Taken floored 1-4 favourite Lord Victor in the claimer, then

Jul's Lad (12-1) collared Tag Team close home in the six-furlong handicap.