Prospects bleak for Haydock's Saturday card  

Ascot has moved to scotch speculation that should Friday and Saturday's scheduled meetings be lost to the inclement weather, they could switch the cards to Sunday or Monday

Horses and riders led by Denis Lenihan on Lyrical Poetry, right, from the string of trainer Johnny Murtagh on the gallops at the Curragh on Tuesday. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Haydock officials admit they are "struggling" to get the ground fit for their scheduled card on Saturday, which features the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

The Merseyside track has been frozen since last Wednesday, with overnight temperatures plummeting to minus 5C and daytime highs inadequate to bring forth a thaw.