Christmas cards face frost threat

Racing's Christmas holiday programme is under threat from subzero temperatures.

A spokesman for the Met Office has confirmed that mild midweek weather will be followed by a drop in temperature on Christmas Eve.

He said: "Temperatures could be subzero overnight from Friday through to Monday. There is also the potential for snow showers on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, in the north and west in particular."

Despite these gloomy predictions, officials at Kempton Park, the venue for the King George VI Chase, appear upbeat.

Brian Clifford, clerk of the course, told the Racing Post: "Boxing Day temperatures could start around minus one or two, and rise during the day to four or five degrees. If that proves correct, I would be very pleased. The ground is good to soft, good in places right now."

However, Wetherby and Towcester are less optimistic, while Uttoxeter and Market Rasen could also be under threat if the predicted cold snap materialises.

Meanwhile, Kicking King, favourite for the 'King George', has come in for further support and is now as short as 9-4 with leading layers Ladbrokes and William Hill.

A total of 16 were left in the big race at the latest declaration stage yesterday, with the Martin Pipe-trained Our Vic a notable absentee.