Monday meetings at Ayr and Taunton called off

Monday's fixtures at Ayr and Taunton has become the latest meetings to have fallen by the wayside as the cold snap continues to wreak havoc on racing.

Officials at Taunton abandoned the National Hunt card without even calling an inspection.

The course is currently frozen, with 85 millimetres of snow also lying on the track.

Clerk of the course Michael Trickey said: "We are covered in snow, the course is frozen and the forecast tells us it could get down to minus 9C tonight.

"On top of that we are forecast some snow on Sunday and lot of snow on Monday.

"We've got no chance and the sensible decision is just to call it off now."

Officials at Ayr have been left with no option but to call off Monday's meeting, with the track completely frozen.

The Scottish circuit has been unraceable for almost a month and with conditions showing no signs of improvement, clerk of the course Hazel Peplinski was able to make an early decision.

"Temperatures got down to minus 9C last night and we think there is around six inches of frost in the ground," said Peplinski.

"There is three inches of snow on the track as well, but it's just turned into frozen ice.

"It's depressing and disappointing for everyone, but there is nothing we can do.

"It's as bad as I've ever known it."