Ascot’s blockbuster Saturday racing ABANDONED as brutal cold snap decimates fixture list
ASCOT’S blockbuster Saturday racing fixture has been abandoned due to a frozen track.
The freezing cold snap has decimated fixtures in UK and Ireland.
There is no jumps racing anywhere on Thursday with Wincanton, Ludlow and Fairyhouse abandoned.
Market Rasen failed to pass a noon inspection for Friday’s racing.
While Lingfield have already cancelled the first day of their three-day Winter Millions meeting.
Ascot bosses inspected the track at 4pm on Thursday but decided it was not OK to race.
The big contest was set to see Willie Mullins’ Champion Chase hero Energumene take on Edwardstone.
But with the sub-zero temperatures likely to remain until the weekend, clerk of the course Chris Stickels decided to pull the plug.
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And he ruled out the prospect of pushing everything back to Sunday.
He said: “There’s a similar forecast for Saturday night so there’s no option to move to Sunday.
“The thaw doesn’t come until Monday going by the forecast.”
It is hoped the Clarence House Chase – a key race on the road to Cheltenham – will instead take place next weekend as part of Cheltenham’s Trials meeting.
Haydock will inspect at midday on Friday to see if their Saturday action can go head.
The track was under half an inch of snow on Thursday morning.
That means key races including the Champion Hurdle Trial and Peter Marsh Chase are hanging in the balance.
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