Newcastle forced to inspect

Newcastle officials are optimistic racing on Saturday can go ahead despite calling an inspection owing to the threat of frost.

The meeting, which features the WBX.COM "Fighting Fith" Hurdle, hinges on an 8am inspection with temperatures expected to dip below freezing.

"It's in light of the forecast we've got. I just don't want to leave people in the lurch," said clerk of the course James Armstrong.

"We had a frost last night and we're absolutely raceable, but tonight the forecast is saying it will get down to minus three with temperatures struggling to get above three degrees providing we don't have a fog in the morning.

Grass cover

"If we do get fog that will obviously suppress temperatures and could cause complications should it occur. We are apparently on the northern edge of that.

"We are happy at the moment but we wouldn't want things to get lower that what we are forecast. We've presently got bright blue skies and couldn't ask for a nicer day.

"The good thing is we've got plenty of grass cover. It's not like we're eight meetings into the winter.

"We are sheeting up all the landings and take offs in some of the more exposed areas down the back straight."

The going is described as good to soft, soft in places and soft, good to soft in places in the back straight.

Harchibald bids for a third success in the race following his victories in 2004 and 2007, but Irish trainer Noel Meade is praying the going will not be too soft for the enigmatic nine-year-old.

"He seems to have travelled well, he's in great form and everybody's happy with him," said the County Meath-based handler.

"The ground sounds a little bit soft to me but we're just going to have to hope that it's OK."