Chepstow beaten by frost, Gowran to inspect, Leopardstown monitored

This afternoon’s meeting at Chepstow has been abandoned due to frost.

Course officials were confident of beating the weather with all vulnerable areas covered but a keener than expected frost has proved too much and the decision was taken after a 9am inspection.

Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: “The frost has got under the covers and we know from Christmas that the covers are only useful down to certain temperatures.

“Once we removed the covers we found that a widespread are of the course was frozen and it just wasn’t going to come out in time.

“We reached -4C overnight and it remains below freezing now with a daytime high of 2C so it is not going to come out in time.”

Meanwhile, tomorrow's rearranged meeting at Gowran is subject to a 7.30am inspection due to the threat of frost.

The card was originally scheduled for Thursday but moved back 48 hours as it was thought the weather forecast was more favourable.

However, temperatures are still giving course officials cause for concern and there is a threat of overnight fog as well as frost.

The going at Gowran is currently heavy with frost in places.

The situation at Leopardstown ahead of their Irish Champion Hurdle card on Sunday continues to be monitored with the going currently soft with frost in places.