Musselburgh frozen off

Musselburgh’s meeting on Wednesday is the latest National Hunt fixture to feel the wrath of the recent cold spell.

Course officials called an inspection for 9am on Tuesday but conditions were so harsh overnight in Scotland that they were left with no option.

Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead said: “We’ve had our second minus five night in a row and the ground is rock solid.

“The maximum temperature forecast for today is plus two but some sleet is also forecast and that would just turn to ice on the track.

“It is not supposed to be that cold tonight but there is no prospect of the frost coming out of the ground.”

Morshead is also clerk of the course at Kelso and they are scheduled to race on Friday.

“I’m hopeful for Friday at Kelso, it is supposed to be milder by the end of the week.”