ASCOT CALLED OFF Heavy rain today put paid to Ascot`s first jumps meeting of the season. This afternoon`s televised card was called off after a 10.30am inspection found conditions were unfit for racing. Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said: 'We have had to abandon. We have had a hell of a lot of rain in the last month and particularly in the past week. 'We had a tremendous amount between eight and nine this morning - around half an inch - it is still raining and there are two or three bad places.' Three races on today`s card were due to be shown live on BBC1, including the £27,500-added United House Construction Handicap Chase.
