Talking Horses: Georges Saint can prove a muddy marvel at Wincanton

Georges Saint, ridden by Charlie Deutsch, one the way to finishing second in the National Hunt' Novices’ Hurdle at Leicester last February. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

Four races from the jumps card at Newcastle will be added to ITV Racing’s coverage on Saturday after the afternoon’s only “Premier” meeting at Sandown – featuring the £100,000 Veterans Chase Series Final – succumbed to waterlogging, while the card at Wincanton is subject to an inspection at 8am.

Officials at the west country track remain optimistic that racing will proceed as planned, but the course is only 10 miles from Paul Nicholls’s yard at Ditcheat, which received what the champion trainer described as “once-in-15-years” rainfall on Thursday night.