Newbury's prestigious Tote Gold Trophy meeting tomorrow is on, but Catterick's card has been abandoned.

Heavy rain had already wiped out today's fixture at the Newbury course and there were fears that tomorrow's card would follow suit.

However, clerk of the course Mark Kershaw said: "We're going ahead with the full programme.

"We're drying really well and basically we've had a dry 24 hours."

Catterick racecourse spokesman John Gundill said today: "It got down to between -6C and -7C last night and the waterlogging has now frozen into the track.

"Yesterday when the thaw came the frost came out of the ground but the surface water has frozen overnight and there are icy patches on the course.

"Beneath the frozen crust is a sort of liquid mud and there is frost again tonight with snow and rain tomorrow. There's no chance that we could race tomorrow," he added.

Ayr's meeting tomorrow is in serious doubt. The course is frozen and an inspection was being held at 4pm this afternoon.

The situation for Haydock's meeting tomorrow is more promising. The course is raceable and no inspection is planned.

The only other race meeting scheduled tomorrow is a Flat racing card on the all-weather track at Lingfield

At Haydock, where prospects of racing are good, I fancy Avalon Buck to complete a hat-trick of wins at the Lancashire course.

Venetia Williams' progressive gelding got off the mark at Exeter on New Year's Day and followed-up in good style at Chepstow when beating Kilcourt Lad by 11 lengths.

Avalon Buck is set to carry 12st in the Haydock Park Sponsorship Club Novices' Handicap Hurdle, but looks capable of conceding weight to his rivals.

With top-notch claimer Brian Crowley in the saddle, Avalon Buck is napped to oblige again in the first of four races televised on Channel 4.

Misty Class has proved a useful money-spinner for Bingley trainer Sue Smith this season and the gelding is taken to return to the winning trail in the Mere House Handicap Chase.

Dominic Elsworth, good value for his 5lb riding allowance, gets on well with Misty Class, who will appreciate this return to three miles after finding a shorter trip inadequate at Wetherby last time out.

Freetown, who has gone from strength to strength this season, returns from a 10-week break in the Ladbroke Casinos Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier).

Lenny Lungo's charge is unbeaten in four starts and was hugely impressive when beating the useful Garruth in decisive fashion at Wetherby in November.

If anything like his best after his holiday, Freetown will surely take plenty of beating under Bruce Gibson.

Lungo also saddles Lord Of The Sky in the First Time Novices' Chase and this prolific winner can continue his purple patch in the hands of Tony Dobbin.

The Walrus Hunters' Chase completes the televised programme and Balisteros, short-listed for next month's Cheltenham Festival, is fancied to take the honours under Pauline Robson.

In the Halliwell Landau Handicap Hurdle, Jim Neville's Prince Dundee, relatively lightly-raced this season, can return to the winning groove.

At Newbury, Mary Reveley's Function Dream, a revelation this season, is fancied for the Mitsubishi Shogun Game Spirit Chase, while First Gold can justify his position as favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the Aon Chase.

In the Tote Gold Trophy Handicap Hurdle I, expect a bold show from Irish raider Grinkov, the mount of Charlie Swan.

Leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Marlborough has sidestepped a clash with First Gold after the gelding was not declared for tomorrow's Aon Chase at Newbury.

The Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old will head instead for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park on February 24.

Unsuitable going was the reason for the change of plan.

Tomorrow's tips:

Haydock

1.40 Nowell House,

2.10 Prince Dundee,

2.40 Lord Of The Sky,

3.10 Avalon Buck (Nap),

3.40 Misty Class,

4.10 Freetown,

4.40 Balisteros.

Newbury

1.00 Cimmarone Cove,

1.30 Function Dream,

2.00 First Gold,

2.35 Grinkov,

3.05 Konker,

3.35 Sau-Mine,

4.05 Jameson.

Updated: 13:59 Friday, February 09, 2001