Frost bites into jumps fixtures

ANOTHER blank day could be in prospect for cross-channel jumping fans with today’s surviving National Hunt card at Doncaster subject to an early inspection.

Temperatures dipped sharply overnight on Town Moor and track manager Malcolm Taylor said: "We are ever hopeful."

Tomorrow's other scheduled jumps meeting at Ludlow was called off after an inspection yesterday.

Clerk of the course Bob Davies said the track was unraceable with a further heavy frost forecast for tonight.

"We've abandoned the frost hasn't really moved all morning," Davies said. "It's not raceable now and we've another frost forecast tonight."

Following the abandonments of yesterday's fixtures at Sedgefield and Folkestone the all-weather Flat card at Southwell was left to provide the fare.

However, Warwick's two-day meeting later this week, which boasts over £250,000 in prizemoney, is set to survive the latest cold snap.

Racecourse manager Christian Leech said: "Weather-wise we are okay. There's a bit of frost forecast tonight but it should clear tomorrow with nothing much forecast for tomorrow night.

"We are depending on the forecast being right but if it is we envisage no problems."

Huntingdon's meeting on Thursday could be in doubt after temperatures plummeted overnight, although officials remain "optimistic".

Conditions look set to be on the quick side at Kempton this weekend for their prestigious two-day Racing Post Chase meeting.

Clerk of the course Brian Clifford confirmed he is optimistic there will be no problems with regards to the current cold spell.

Mild weather in Scotland is needed if Saturday's meeting at Musselburgh is to survive.

The course is currently frozen after temperatures dropped to minus seven last night.

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