Ascot today falls to freeze

17 Dec 2010 - 14:30:27

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

A further check will be made at 4.30pm this afternoon to determine prospects for tomorrow's big meeting, which is due to feature the appearance of champion stayer Big Buck's in the BGC Long Walk Hurdle.

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 compounded the situation.

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

"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."

Saturday's card is in doubt as overnight temperatures are due to plummet to minus 4C, with a further chance of snow showers.