Sprinter Sacre is set to face six rivals in Saturday's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, if the meeting survives a 4.30pm precautionary inspection on Friday.

Nicky Henderson has described the gelding as his "big black aeroplane" and the seven-year-old is unbeaten in his six starts over fences. In his sole outing so far this season, he dished out a 19-and-a-half-length beating to Sanctuaire, who was thought to be the only two-miler capable of giving him a race.

Paul Nicholls has decided to pitch Sanctuaire against his old rival again after he returned to winning ways at Kempton over Christmas.

Last year's winner Somersby is due to have his first start for Mick Channon, while Alan King's Kumbeshwar finished second in the Tingle Creek to Sprinter Sacre and is chasing more prize money. Philip Hobbs runs Wishfull Thinking, and the Venetia Williams-trained Idarah and Tony Carroll's Kinkeel complete the field.

Frost covers have been down at Ascot since last weekend but snow is forecast which makes their removal very difficult.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "It got down to minus 4C last night and is not due to get above freezing today and there are some signs of frost under the covers. I'm pretty confident we could race today but could not be certain unless I lifted the covers right off and I don't plan on doing that.

"It is due to remain cold, although maybe not minus 4C again. Snow is forecast for Friday afternoon and evening, so it makes senses to have a precautionary look on Friday when we'll have a good look under the covers and we'll be able to assess the snow situation."

20 June 2013

Rock tops Diamond contenders
Opportunity knocks for Green Door
Pretending has to be real stayer
Stack hopes are alive and kicking
Rock ready to roll
Estimate takes Gold test
Happy ending for Annecdote
Doyle hits treble top on Rizeena
Doyle fits the bill in Hunt Cup
Kazeem crowned Prince of Ascot
Cambridge Dun and dusted

19 June 2013

Godolphin swoop for Libertarian
Toronado pointed towards Goodwood
O'Brien keeps faith in Camelot
Perfect Ten in Jersey
Plenty of rain needed for Approval
Banoffee pencilled in for Haydock
Classic rematch in Coronation
Guest has excellent chance
Brittain sweet on Rizeena
Team O'Brien hope for perfect Ten
Chigun aiming for Cambridge glory
Camelot bids for redemption
O'Neill ace proves too sharp
Ballydoyle in command in Coventry
Dawn delivers in thriller
Sole powers to sprint glory
O'Brien sounds War cry

18 June 2013

Stevens is king of the Castle
Al Thani snaps up Sandiva
Minute's silence remembers Cecil
Duntle on Cambridge duty
Alive and Just in Ribblesdale mix
Passage heads Gold field
Deegan considers Soprano options
Toro out for Palace glory
Cecil's words not lost on Ponsonby
Dawn out for Palace redemption
Hawkwood supplemented for Hardwicke
Flotilla To Drop Back In Trip
Cecil's Chigun in Cambridge action
Al Kazeem and Camelot clash again
De Kock hoping to make history
War ready for Royal Ascot battle
Kingdom set to reign over Ascot

17 June 2013

Magician set for Palace showdown
Cat clings on for Carroll
Three more winners for Lady Cecil
Monaghan delivers on Midnight
Treve in stunning Diane win
Sapphire target for Trees
Beckett mulls Secret options
Nicholls has broken wrist