Ascot abandoned

This afternoon’s meeting at Ascot has been abandoned due to a frozen track following a second inspection at 11am.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels and his team originally looked at 7.30am but as temperatures barely rose above freezing, the covers remained on the track in certain areas.

Frozen rain on top of the frost covers has compounded the situation.

Stickels said: “There was rain last night before it froze so the covers are very wet and heavy and there are some frozen lumps out on the course.

“A lot of work has gone in. The covers went down last Saturday and this is the first frost we’ve had.

“It was minus 4C overnight and that has proved too difficult, sadly. It is not due to get above freezing.”

Ascot are also due to race on Saturday, with the situation being monitored.

Stickels added: “We need to have a think about tomorrow and review the forecast.

“We did have snow forecast which indicates it could be slightly warmer but that brings another set of problems.

“We’ll make an announcement later today.”