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THE weather could yet play an even bigger and negative role by the time you read this column, so fingers crossed the temperatures relent and we at least get some turf racing coming our way.

The big race at the County Meath track is the SBK Dan and Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at 1.45, a Grade B event over an extended two miles with the top weight Hunters Yarn at the top of the market for Willie Mullins.

A couple of years ago I suspect that connections, Simon Munir and Issac Souede, would have expected this eight-year-old to have been running in graded company, but apart from winning a Beginners Chase this time last year over the course and distance, he has only run twice since then. The first was a fair 22 lengths fifth of 10 in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and then he was sidelined until last month when he jumped poorly when tailed off behind Energumene in the Hilly Way at Cork.

Just below him in the weights, American Mike has also not lived up to his earlier career promise both over hurdles and fences and I fancy that an extra half mile wouldn’t go amiss for him so the value call surely lies further down the list in the form of THE KING OF PRS.

Gavin Cromwell’s strike rate has eased off after a red hot start to the season but the yard are still kicking in the winners and this seven-year-old has run two outstanding races this season both over this course and distance, and then last time out in the Racing Post Handicap Chase at Leopardstown last month. Raised just the 2lbs for that performance at the Dublin track, he will relish the likely fast pace on here and can make the most of the weight he receives from those at the top of the list.

ASIAN MASTER (2.18) started off this season with a cracking run, staying on third behind the impressive Majborough on his fencing debut and should have too much in his locker for the likes of Tullyhill (half a length ahead of him that day) and stable mate Lisnagar Fortune.

Earlier on the card, WENDROCK (12.00) can take another step forward in his juvenile hurdle season by seeing off Butter Fingers, while I will also be having a wager on ATTABOYARCHIE in the three-mile handicap hurdle at 1.07. The last named probably did a bit too much too soon last time out at Listowel and a more patient ride here should see him go close off a fair new mark of 103.

Being towards the west of these islands, Ffos Las is more likely to get ahead although it will be far from plain sailing for the Welsh track, and the best bet on the card could be ROYAL MER in the two mile handicap chase at 3.33.

On a much safer weather footing, the three all-weather meetings at Chelmsford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton should get the green light unless the weather significantly deteriorates again.

Equion looks the percentage call in the 8.30 at Wolverhampton, but I will try to bag an each-way price on the old boy VISIBILITY (nap). The eight-year-old has been running consistently well of late and probably found the extended nine and a half furlongs a shade too far last time out. The old boy is now a pound lower than for his last win, which came seven outings back in October.

Also on the Dunstall Park card have a second look at VAN ZANT (5.30) and EL BUFALO (7.00). The last named was never really at the races at Newcastle last month and is probably better suited by this sharper, turning track.

At the Gosforth Park track, SOL CAYO has a great chance of defying top weight in an extended mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 2.00, while the best bet on the card could come in the form of BLACKCURRENT some 35 minutes later. The last named loves to force the pace and has a lovely sit in box number 10 right against the stands’ side rail.