Musselburgh rated 80 per cent

Racecourse boss Bill Farnsworth is optimistic the New Year's Day card will go ahead and with the East Lothian track thawing quickly he rates the chances of racing as around 80 per cent.

He said: "It's a much-improved situation compared to the start of the week and with day-time temperatures of 3-4C expected the frost is coming out of the ground and I am fairly confident we will be okay to race on New Year's Day."

If racing does go ahead it would be a great boost for Musselburgh, which abandoned its last meeting on 22 December due to heavy snow, and with a 25,000 Hogmanay Handicap Hurdle and a 20,000 chase, both of which are televised on Channel 4, a big crowd is anticipated.

Farnsworth said: "We were not optimistic a few days ago but conditions have taken a turn for the better and with no further snow or heavy frost predicted we are all set up for bringing in the New Year at Musselburgh.

"After losing the last meeting due to snow we are desperate to get back in to action and we have a cracking card, with two fine races pulling in some of the country's best trainers. We also have the historic New Year Sprint athletics race as part of the meeting so, all being well, we expect a good-sized crowd on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Ayr have called a noon inspection tomorrow ahead of their meeting on Sunday.

Clerk of the course Emma Marley reported the majority of the track to be raceable at present but a further thaw is needed in other areas of the ground.

"The thaw has been a slow process and approximately 40 per cent of the track is still frozen and unraceable, particularly around the bend area," she said. "The forecast is favourable up to and including Saturday morning, but the temperature is due to drop after that with a low of minus 3C tomorrow night.

"We'll have a look on Saturday and if the frost isn't out of the ground then, we are unlikely to be raceable."

l Mikael D'Haguenet was a big disappointment as Realt Dubh came out on top in a dramatic race for the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown. The 4-7 favourite never got close enough to mount a serious challenge in the closing stages as Saludos made most of the running. There were several in with chances turning for home, but Saludos led only to give Robbie Power a heavy fall at the final fence.

That left Realt Dubh (10-1) in front as Paul Carberry brought Noel Meade's charge home clear of Noble Prince, who stayed on well to collar Torphichen for second place.Mikael D'Haguenet came home in fifth.

Lingfield

12.00 Les Verguettes

12.30 Hackett

1.00 Mongoose Alert

1.30 Sarah's Art

2.00 South African Gold

2.30 Silvee

3.00 The Tatling

3.30 Estonia

Uttoxeter

12.10 Maxdelas

12.40 Herdsman

1.10 Silent Cliche

1.40 Sarah's Boy

2.10 Swiss Guard

2.40 Abey M'Boy

3.10 Oniz Tiptoes

3.40 Miss Hippy

Warwick

12.50 Mic Aubin

1.20 The Gripper

1.50 Rock Noir

2.20 Mr Big

2.50 Good Faloue

3.20 Ironical

3.50 Cresswell Crusader (nap)

Double

Les Verguettes

12:00 Lingfield

Cresswell Crusader

3:50 Warwick