This afternoon's meeting at Ascot goes ahead as scheduled after the track passed a 6.30am precautionary inspection.

Officials at Ascot will stage a precautionary inspection at 6.30am ahead of Saturday's high-profile meeting.

Blizzards and plummeting temperatures across the UK have already claimed a number of the weekend’s sporting fixtures with more set to follow later in the day.

ASCOT’S big double-header of racing has been snowed off as the recent cold snap hit the racing schedule.

Racing at Ascot was abandoned because of snow today – with a 4pm inspection also planned ahead of tomorrow’s meeting.

Tomorrow’s meeting at Ascot is under threat due to the forecast of snow.

Trainers and jockeys condemned Ascot officials for watering the track before their three-day Queen Elizabeth II Stakes meeting.

This afternoon’s fixture at Ascot has been given the go-ahead after the track passed a third inspection at 11.30am.

ONEWAY must defy top weight of 11st 10lb if he is to emerge triumphant in Saturday’s Victor Chandler Chase – but handler Mark Rimell is unconcerned by his welter burden.

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels expects good to firm ground as the five-day Royal meeting gets underway tomorrow.

Ascot’s new clerk of the course Chris Stickels admitted today that for the foreseeable future it will be “a struggle” to produce identical conditions on the round and straight courses.

Controversy reigned at Lingfield after Welsh Dragon was declared a winner, only for judge Jane Stickels to change her mind.

CONTROVERSY reigned at Lingfield yesterday after Welsh Dragon was declared a winner - only for judge Jane Stickels to change her mind.

This afternoon’s meeting at Fontwell goes ahead after a frost-free evening at the Sussex venue.

WET weather has washed-out all three of today’s National Hunt meetings leaving just the all-weather Flat fixture at Lingfield to satisfy racing enthusiasts.