Warmer prospects for the Tote Gold Trophy

With the cold weather relenting the prospects of a return to racing on turf tomorrow look promising. Newbury, where today's card has been abandoned, hope to stage the pounds 100,000 Tote Gold Trophy and will hold an inspection at 1pm today.

The clerk of the course, Richard Pridham, said: "There is no frost in the ground but there is still snow on the back straight. Rain is forecast so we hope this will clear it away."

It is a similar story at Ayr, where conditions have improved substantially and there are no plans for an inspection.

At Uttoxeter, where the clerk of the course, David McAllister, had thought it was "cut and dried that the meeting would be off", have delayed a decision until after an 8am inspection.

"We have brilliant sunshine and the snow is melting," McAllister said. "Mind you, there is quite a lot to melt with four to five inches left to get rid of."

Tomorrow's other turf fixture is scheduled for Catterick, where they will hold an inspection at 1pm. A course groundsman reported: "The course is frozen at the moment, but it is thawing rapidly. We have a light covering of snow but that is going quickly."