Jump racing continues to be hit hard by the wet weather and tomorrow's fixtures at Sandown Park and Newcastle were both washed out following inspections yesterday.

So far 26 meetings have been lost to the weather this National Hunt season. But Haydock, where the going is heavy, are optimistic that they can save the day for jumping tomorrow, when they are due to stage the valuable Dipper Novice Chase which would have been the centrepiece of the Newcastle card.

The original entries stand for the '40,000 race which is scheduled for 2.20 and will be shown live on Channel 4. Meanwhile, Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle is expected to now take place at Ascot or Warwick tomorrow week.

Yesterday's action on the all-weather at Southwell saw trainer David Nicholls start the year in style with a long-priced double, courtesy of Arpeggio and Loyal Tycoon.

Jamie Osborne, who was on target with Voluptuous, can follow up at Wolverhampton today with Notanother (2.25). And another trainer in form, John Best, has good prospects of success at this afternoon's Fibresand fixture with course winner Established (12.20), who showed signs of a return to form last time.

Guardian Unlimited ' Guardian Newspapers Limited 2001