Frost Claims Windsor And Newcastle

Saturday´s feature event, the Grade One totesport Long Walk Hurdle, was claimed by the current cold snap as both Windsor and Newcastle were forced to abandon their meetings.

The Berkshire track were due to stage the extended-three-mile-one-furlong feature but a biting wind at the venue ensured an overnight frost.

Clerk of the course David Mackinnon inspected at 9.30am and again at 11.30am when he was forced to admit defeat and call off the #163,000 card.

He said: 'The difficulty is we have had a very strong wind with a freezing wind chill which has not allowed the frost to come out.

'It is very disappointing.'

Officials at Newcastle inspected the track at 8am and a chilly wind there also put paid to their card.

James Armstrong, clerk of the course at Gosforth Park, explained: 'We got down to minus three but it´s really the wind that has penetrated the bare patches of soil and they are frozen solid.

'I´ve spoken to the Met Office twice this morning and they don´t expect temperatures to rise above plus three so we have had to abandon.'

Haydock passed an early morning inspection though and they host the only jumps action of the day.

Sunday´s National Hunt meeting at Musselburgh rests on a precautionary inspection at 6.45am.

Officials were due to check conditions at 3pm today but the Scottish track did not have the forecast overnight frost.

Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead explained: 'We have cancelled this afternoon´s inspection as the temperature didn´t drop as low as forecast and we are raceable today.

'It is due to be a cold, sharp day today and then we could drop as low as minus four overnight but it is forecast to be plus five tomorrow.

'Obviously it will all be about timing so we will take a look in the morning and see where we are.'

(C) PA Sport