Newbury hopes hit again by snowfall

Saturday's prestigious meeting at Newbury still hangs in the balance after more snow fell at the racecourse last night.

Officials will hold an inspection at 8am tomorrow to determine whether the card, which is set to feature the Totesport Trophy plus Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman and Champion Chase hero Master Minded, can go ahead.

Although the track is covered with fleece to protect it against frost, the news comes as a blow to officials at the Berkshire course, which had shown improvement yesterday.

"I've changed the going to soft and we've called an inspection for 8am," said clerk of the course Richard Osgood.

"I would have sworn that we would have had rain last night, but when I woke up it was covered in snow.

"The forecast is for this weather to go north - but then to come back south once again."

If the fixture does get the green light, the Charlie Longsdon-trained Songe will carry top weight in a maximum field of 24 for the Totesport Trophy following today's final declaration stage, after the withdrawal of Straw Bear and Sentry Duty.

All the leading fancies have stood their ground in the £150,000 two-mile hurdle, headed by Gary Moore's ante-post favourite Numide and the Philip Hobbs-trained duo of Belcantista, the mount of Tony McCoy, and Presenting Copper.