Racing: Hopes rise for turf return

Hopes are rising that racing on turf will resume at Musselburgh tomorrow followed by Newcastle on Saturday. Today is the 11th successive racing day with action confined to the all-weather tracks.

However, Ascot's two-day meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday is in grave doubt. If it is lost, then the pounds 35,000 Victor Chandler Chase will be run at Kempton on 18 January.

With Leopardstown's card taking centre stage on Saturday, the Tote will break new ground by operating a placepot on the first six races at the meeting.