Friday slot for Newbury

The 'Betfair Super Saturday' card had been due to showcase the talents of among others, Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run and his exciting stablemate Sprinter Sacre.

The meeting had to be called off this morning due to snow on the track, but BHA officials have reached an agreement with Newbury, sponsors Betfair, the Levy Board and Channel 4 Racing to restage the superb card.

A BHA press release read: "Following the abandonment of racing at Newbury on Saturday, the British Horseracing Authority, in conjunction with the Levy Board, has granted Newbury a replacement fixture to be staged on Friday 17 February.

"The major races lost from Saturday's card will be rescheduled, including the previously rescheduled Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

"The first three races of a seven-race card will be on Channel 4 during a programme due to be broadcast from 12.10 until 1.40.

"The original entries for the Betfair Hurdle Race will stand and trainers are required to make confirmations once again on Saturday 11 February.

"Entries for all other races must be made by noon on Saturday 11 February, with declarations to run made by 10am on Thursday 16 February."

Henderson Hopes

If the rescheduled meeting is confirmed, it would certainly be welcomed by Long Run and Sprinter Sacre's trainer Nicky Henderson.

He said: "I do want Sprinter Sacre to have another run and I think Long Run is better with a run.

"It would be another week to Newbury and we're getting closer (to Cheltenham) but I think he'd run again.

"We need to run the horses and depending what exactly they put on, I'd hope we'd be supporting it with the same sort of team."