The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has programmed a provisional all-Chase card for Sandown on Friday, February 15th, in an attempt to safeguard this fixture. This will consist of the three Chases originally scheduled plus three additional Steeple Chase opportunities. Sandown’s going is currently described as Heavy, with Soft places in the Back Straight.

All additional races will be free to enter and a final decision on whether the existing hurdle races will be abandoned and the provisional chases activated, will be made at 8am on Thursday, February 14th.

The provisional, additional Steeple Chases will close at noon on Wednesday, February 13th.

Should these races subsequently be activated, they will close for declarations at 10am on Thursday, February 14th.

Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Sandown, reported:

“We saw 17mm of rain at Sandown Park on Sunday followed by snow yesterday morning. As a result parts of the Hurdle Course are currently saturated. We are expecting further rain here on Thursday, with some forecasts suggesting as much as 10mm.

“In order to give ourselves the best chance of staging a day’s racing here on Friday we have asked BHA to provisionally schedule an all Chase card with 6 races. A decision will be made by 8am on Thursday morning (before declarations) on whether the existing Hurdle races will be abandoned and the provisional Chases activated.”

A provisional, revised running order follows below.

1:50 00950 The Oxshott Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4)
2:25 00952 The Alanbrooke Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3)
3:00 00953 The Royal Artillery Gold Cup (Class 3)
3:30 00958 The London Southend Airport Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3)
4:05 00959 The Reclaims UK Helping Soldiers Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 3)
4:40 00957 The CGA Hunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 6)

Full race details and conditions can be found on the BHA Racing admin site: www.racingadmin.co.uk