Sandown’s re-scheduled all-chase card for Saturday has been abandoned following a Friday afternoon inspection.
Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: “We had half an inch of rain on Friday morning and the forecast for Saturday does not look good. There are three parts of the course which are unsafe.”
The Saturday spotlight now turns to Chepstow where three races including the Tote John Hughes Chase will be screened on BBC television.
Former French chaser Gadz’art, now in the hands of trainer Kim Bailey and being aimed at the Grand National, sets out on the road to Aintree under topweight in the John Hughes. He was a prolific winner in France but will find it a tough slog in the Chepstow mud.
Gadz’art was bought at Goffs Sales in Ireland in the summer by Michael Gates, owner of Camelot Knight, third behind Lord Gyllene in the 1997 National.
The horse worked well at Newbury last Sunday but may not concede a stone to Henry Daly’s Edmond, winner of last year’s Welsh National over the course.
