Saturday Sandown meet abandoned

Saturday’s high-profile meeting at Sandown has become the latest casualty of the cold snap after officials made the early decision to call off the fixture.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper announced an inspection for 3pm on Thursday to assess the prospects for the jumps card, featuring the Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase.

But with no chance of conditions improving sufficiently, Cooper has made the decision to abandon.

Friday’s meeting at Sandown was called off earlier in the day.

“Unfortunately it hasn't improved and, if anything, it's actually marginally worse as we've had a few snow flurries.

“We have five inches of snow on the track at the moment and that is going to stay there until Saturday at least.

“It’s due to warm a bit from Saturday but everyone at the course is of the opinion that it will be not enough, soon enough.”

British Horseracing Authority officials are now working to move the Tingle Creek to another venue.

“I believe Cheltenham next weekend is the obvious and intended new home of the race at this stage,” Cooper added.