DESPITE the bitterly cold weather, Newbury's meeting is primed to go ahead following the executive's ground-breaking initiative of protecting the entire track with a set of covers.

Such enterprise benefits all and sundry, including Keith Reveley, who takes Top Brass (1.30) down south in the hope of capturing the opening Conditional Jockeys' Novices Handicap Hurdle.

Even though the Night Shift gelding went off at outsider's odds of 25-1, Top Brass was quietly fancied by connections when opening his account on a lucrative visit to Musselburgh in February.

Although partnered by Philip Kinsella on that occasion, Reveley has now decided to make a change and put his son, James, on board Top Brass.

Just in case anyone's thinking it's is a classic case of nepotism, think again because young James is a superb rider, able to reduce the selection's burden by a handy 6lb in what is a competitive contest.

Rather ominously for every single trainer up and down the land, Martin Pipe's hit squad is starting to wind up in earnest for the soon-to-come Cheltenham Festival.

One potential Festival candidate is Madison Du Berlais (3.05), bidding to complete a hat-trick in the Securon Handicap Chase, en-route to Prestbury Park in a couple of weeks' time.

Madison Du Berlais is on an extremely sharp upward curve, having bagged back-to-back victories at Market Rasen and Exeter, triumphs both executed with pinpoint precision by Pipe's former stable jockey, Tony McCoy.

Richard Johnson made a rare booboo when parting company with Von Origny (3.40) on a wasted journey to Wincanton last time out.

Johnson had Von Origny poised to strike at the second fence from the finish, only to be ejected unceremoniously as his mount failed to get high enough at the home straight obstacle.

Richard is normally renowned for having glue in his breeches, so don't expect a repeat as the combination seek deserved compensation in the Arkell's Brewery Handicap Chase.

Gary Moore's yard landed a right old-fashioned gamble at Sandown on Saturday courtesy of the facile winner, New Entic (4.15).

Moore is aware his horse is going to be clobbered by the handicapper for the romp, so it's no surprise to see him whipped out double-quick under a 7lb penalty for the Ling Design Handicap Hurdle.

As New Entic didn't appear to take anything out of himself during his weekend stroll, he's hard to oppose with any confidence against some largely exposed rivals.

Kevin Ryan, who supplied a welcome 3-1 winning nap via Ludovico on Wednesday, might well be in a position to do us another favour, this time with Wolverhampton raider, Poppys Footprint.

Ryan's mare has slipped down to a most attractive mark, and shaped as if her turn was near when third over track and trip three weeks ago.

* Today's National Hunt meeting at Southwell has been lost to the weather but the day's feature card at Newbury looks set to go ahead, with officials not planning an inspection.

Lingfield's jumps card tomorrow has been abandoned but the three remaining meetings are all optimistic of racing taking place, as long as conditions do not worsen.

Officials at Southwell called a 4pm inspection yesterday after temperatures dropped well below freezing on Wednesday, leaving the track unraceable.

Southwell's Dave Williams said: ''We have had to abandon as the track is still frozen.

''With things as they are, it is pointless going to a Friday inspection.''

Newbury race today and tomorrow and have taken precautions to ensure they have the best possible chance of racing, undertaking an operation to shield all 28 acres of the track and up to 30 groundstaff have been involved.

''We've had the whole racing line covered overnight,'' said clerk of the course Richard Osgood.

''The ground is perfectly raceable. We are bringing in more covers to ensure the area the horses use to canter down to the start is fine and we should be OK for both days."

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