Racing inspections news as 'Beast from the East' threatens meetings with cold weather
Keep up to date with all the latest news regarding racing inspections as the 'Beast from the East' bites.
Newcastle, Thursday - ABANDONED
Thursday's meeting at Newcastle has been abandoned following further snow overnight.
The track was forced to call off Wednesday's all-weather action due to the current cold snap but had called an 8am inspection in the hope of more favourable conditions on Thursday.
However, after an initial check failed to yield a decision, a second inspection at 9am showed parts of the track to be unraceable and the meeting was called off.
The track tweeted: "Unfortunately due to overnight snow fall and snow drifting across parts of the track we have had to abandon today's fixture."
Kempton, Thursday - ABANDONED
Kempton's evening meeting, set to stage the "Road To The Kentucky Derby" Conditions Stakes, also succumbed to the snow.
An 11am inspection had been called, but the meeting was cancelled at 9.45am.
Clerk of the course Barney Clifford said: "The snow has already started, earlier than forecast, and it is forecast for much of the day until 6pm.
"Even if we were able to make the course raceable, it is a question of everything else - the roads and facilities - being unsafe.
"It's a decision taken in the interests of safety and there is a yellow weather warning over Kempton.
"The Kentucky race will now be rescheduled for next Wednesday."
Lingfield, Friday - INSPECTION
The snow has also forced officials at Lingfield to call a precautionary inspection for 8am on Friday ahead of the afternoon meeting.
Kelso, Saturday - ABANDONED
Snow has claimed Saturday's card at Kelso, which was due to feature the Listed Premier Chase and the Grade Two Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle.
Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead made an early decision to call off the meeting, but is hoping it can be switched to an alternative date.
She tweeted: "Racing abandoned due to snow. We will continue to review options with the British Horseracing Authority for rescheduling .Two years' ago the same fixture was successfully rescheduled to the Sunday, eight days later - the equivalent date of March 11 this year."
Newbury, Friday - ABANDONED
Newbury's jumps meeting on Friday has been abandoned as the wintry weather continues to wreak havoc with the racing programme.
Clerk of the course Richard Osgood was left with a straightforward decision to cancel the fixture as parts of the track are frozen solid.
He made the early call to abandon following a 4pm course inspection on Wednesday.
Doncaster, Friday - ABANDONED
Doncaster's National Hunt meeting on Friday has been abandoned due to snow as the cold snap continues to play havoc with scheduled racing this week.
The course has been covered since Friday, but four inches of snow fell on top of those covers on Tuesday night.
Friday's card was due to be the first of two days of action on Town Moor and there will be an inspection at noon on Thursday to assess the chances for Saturday's card, which is due to feature the William Hill Grimthorpe Chase.
Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: "Friday's meeting had no chance with all the snow, but we're inspecting at noon tomorrow for Saturday. There is a chance of a minor improvement, so we'll see how that forecast develops.
"They are talking about the possibility of rain and warmer weather on Sunday, so if that happens to come forward 24 hours or so, there might be a chance. We just think we need to give Saturday another 24 hours."
Dundalk, Friday - ABANDONED
Dundalk's meeting on the all-weather on Friday was also abandoned.
The IHRB cited "an adverse weather forecast and hazardous driving conditions" as the reason for the cancellation.
Navan's meeting on Saturday is also under threat as the course is currently unfit for racing due to a covering of snow. The situation is currently being monitored.
Chelmsford, Friday - INSPECT
Friday's meeting at Chelmsford will have to pass a 1pm inspection on Thursday as the current cold snap continues to bite.
Four inches of snow has fallen at the Essex track overnight with further snow expected ahead of racing on Friday.
Clerk of the course Andy Waitt will assess the situation on Thursday as staff at the venue try to clear as much snow as possible.
He said: "We have about four inches of snow overnight and we have more forecast today, as well as tomorrow and Friday.
"We will just take a look tomorrow afternoon to check we are where we need to be in terms of clearing the snow.
"It is more of a health and safety issue than a problem with the track. We also need to check the surrounding roads are safe for people to get to the racecourse."
Clonmel, Thursday - ABANDONED
Thursday's meeting at Clonmel has already been abandoned due to a combination of the weather forecast and anticipated driving conditions.
A statement from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said: "The IHRB has announced that the fixture at Clonmel on Thursday, March 1 has been abandoned due to an adverse weather forecast and hazardous driving conditions."
Ludlow, Thursday - ABANDONED
Thursday's meeting at Ludlow is the latest fixture to fall victim to the current cold snap.
Officials had stated early on Tuesday morning they were not optimistic about the chances of racing and by 9.45am, they had decided to call off the card.
The track is frozen with overnight temperatures forecast to fall well below freezing and snow is also expected.
Taunton, Thursday - ABANDONED
Taunton's National Hunt meeting on Thursday has been abandoned due to a frozen track.
The course has been frozen since last Thursday due to repeated overnight keen frosts.
Given the predicted forecast, with temperatures set to dip as low as minus 6C and barely due to rise above freezing, course officials took the decision early to abandon. Compounding matters, snow is also forecast.
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