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Timeform Weekend Preview: Fingers-crossed fo competitive cards

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The cold snap looks to have struck once again over the weekend, with feature action from Warwick yet another meeting falling foul of the elements. As such, the all-weather has been the focus of recent attention and both Kempton and Lingfield host meetings on Saturday, says Timeform.

At Kempton, the most valuable race on the card is the 3.15, a 0-85 handicap for four year olds and upwards which has attracted a field of seven. In-form trainer Jeremy Gask saddles Monkey Glas whilst Terry Mills' Pegasus Again and Stan Moore's Southandwest are in opposition.

The preceding race sees several horses familiar to jumps fans take to the polytrack, the field containing the likes of Nothing is Forever and Coda Agency.

Meanwhile, over at Lingfield the rejuvenated Aeroplane will attempt to record his third win in four starts for Simon Callaghan in the 2.50 but is opposed by Bonus and Turn on the Style. In the 1.10 connections, Annabelle's Charm will no doubt be hoping their three-year-old filly can break her maiden at the third time of asking and start to repay some of the 425,000 guineas she cost as a yearling.

Across the Irish Sea there is some interesting hurdles action scheduled on the card at Punchestown, proving the track can pass a Saturday morning inspection. The Grade 3 Juvenile has attracted entries from Gordon Elliot's Triumph Hurdle hope Tharawaat and Patrick O'Brady's Ebadiyan whilst the 2.25 sees Zaarito attempt to land his first win over hurdles.

Leopardstown's Pierse Hurdle meeting on Sunday is another hoping to beat the frost and stage a competitive card. Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde makes his chasing debut in the opening maiden, whilst the following race, a novice, is a hotly contested event containing the likes of Merchant Paddy, Financial Reward and Bohemian Lass.

The 1.45 Leopardstown Handicap Chase contains Jewson winner Finger On The Pulse and top weight Mistertopnotch. The feature race of the day, the Pierse Hurdle, takes place at 2.20, with Tony Martin fielding Psycho and Robin Du Bois whilst Willie Mullins' Imperial Hills is also prominent in the market.

Back in England, Carlisle will be keeping fingers crossed that their first meeting of 2009 will go ahead, with six races on offer to spectators. Jonjo O'Neill has entered Wichita Lineman against Campanero in the opening novices' chase, whilst later on the popular Mister McGoldrick, recently turned twelve-years-old, will attempt to defy top weight in the Border City Trophy Challenge Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.

Elsewhere, Great Leighs is the only all-weather meeting to take place on Sunday, with the Essex course hosting a seven race card.