Catterick off, Exeter to face afternoon check

Catterick’s meeting on New Year’s Day has been abandoned due to a snow-bound track while Exeter will face a late inspection before getting the green light.

Officials at the North Yorkshire venue were left with no option but to draw stumps in light of a grim overnight forecast.

Clerk of the course Fiona Needham said: “We have about 50% of the track still covered in snow and it’s also started freezing again.

“In light of the forecast, there was no way we could have shifted it (the snow) in time.”

Exeter’s all-hurdle meeting on New Year’s Day must pass a 2pm inspection after an early-morning check proved inconclusive.

Although the chase races on the initial card had already been abandoned, officials at the track are prepared to give the fixture every chance.

Clerk of the course Barry Johnson said after inspecting at 8am: “We’ve got two areas on the track that are still holding water and are false patches of ground.

“We’ve been told it will be dry today, though, and if it is we should be OK by 2pm today.

“There is also the threat of overnight frost, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”