Don't count on a great deal of racetrack action this Saturday, as all three main televised meetings appear to be in serious jeopardy.

With further rain forecast and much colder weather could also bringing the threat of frost into the equation.

Clerks of the courses at Ascot, Uttoxeter and Warwick all expressed major doubts earlier in the week. And even if some of the cards do beat the horrendous weather it's difficult to predict just which horses will go to post as many trainers are waiting until the last minute to decide on their running plans. Sensibly, they will not want to risk their charges on desperate ground.

Paul Nicholls' Double Thriller, fourth in the 1999 Cheltenham Gold Cup, appears unlikely to risk the ten-year-old in Ascot's £45,000 Tote Silver Cup over the extended three miles at 2.00. If the meeting should survive, what we need is a real mudlover. Charlie Mann's Moral Support has been revelling of late, having rattled up a four-timer. Gingembre is also a useful horse and could go very close if handling the conditions. The French raider Baracouda would have to be respected in the £55,000 Long Walk Hurdle at 2.35, while Nicky Henderson's Get Real would be the pick in the two miles chase half an hour later.

Channel 4's Scoop6 races are scheduled for Uttoxeter and Warwick. The latter course was untraceable midweek, while Uttoxeter was becoming increasingly worried about the threat of frost on top of all the rain that's fallen. I find it impossible because of all the unknowns to predict with any certainty possible runners, let alone those horses in with major chances, so have decided to leave the Scoop6 crystal ball in the bag this week. Do I hear cries of glee!

There should be no problems at Lingfield's all-weather meeting, which begins at 12.45. Ken Ivory's Perigeux is on the upgrade and could well be the pick in the opener, while Sir Mark Prescott holds the key to the seven furlongs race at 1.20. He had three entries at the midweek stage with Blue Plant, Foreign Affairs and Golden Hind. Go with his final choice.

The in-form Sylvan Girl appeals in the six furlongs Stakes race at 1.50, while jockey M. Henry is down to ride either Crimson Tide for John Hills or Kinsman for Andrew Reid in the conditions race at 2.25. I'll go with his choice. Note, however, that the latter has an alternative entry in the 3.30, an easier race, but one in which the three-year-old would have to shoulder top weight. Wavereley Road should go well if picking up a decent draw in the 1m 2f handicap at 2.55, but this one also holds an alternative entry in the 3.30, in which Geoff Wragg's Mawingo is by far the most interesting prospect if declared to run.

Looking ahead to racing over the festive season - hopefully - See More Business continues to be a warm 6/4fav for the Pertemps King George V1 Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, with Nicky Henderson's Marlborough coming into the equation after last week's impressive victory at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old is 6/1 in most lists, with the Tote offering a seemingly generous 9/1. However, See More Business is still very much the one to beat, with the horse currently quoted at 7/2fav for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Tim Easterby's Barton can also be backed at 16/1 for the Champion Hurdle. I might just have a little bit of that - each way, of course with the legendary Istabraq in the field again.