ALL jumps racing axed in Britain as brutal cold snap forces mass cancellations as Ascot, Haydock and Taunton all fall

11 months ago 48

THERE will be no jumps racing in Britain on Saturday after Ascot, Haydock and Taunton were forced to cancel their cards amid this devastating cold spell.

Brutal sub-zero temperatures have left our cherished tracks frozen with not even miles and miles of cover capable of saving them.

Ascot was covered in miles of sheets but it couldn’t save the course[/caption]

Taunton was the last of the big three to fall, with their Saturday fixture being cancelled just before noon on Friday.

Ascot’s blockbuster Clarence House Chase card was for the second year in a row abandoned on Thursday.

While Haydock, also for the second straight year, went early on Friday.

Punters won’t be starved of action completely because Lingfield and Wolverhampton will host all-weather action on the Flat on Saturday.

But there have been a whopping 11 abandoned National Hunt meetings this week.

It’s been a logistical nightmare for jockeys, trainers, punters and bosses in charge at the BHA.

The one saving grace is that it looks like Sunday’s £165,000 Fleur De Lys Chase, featuring the return of L’Homme Presse, will go ahead at Lingfield on Sunday.

And Fakenham could return to terrestrial TV coverage for the first time in decades if passing a Saturday inspection, when temperatures are forecast to rise.

Two additional jumps fixtures have also been added at Plumpton and Chepstow on Monday and Wednesday respectively next week.

It is hoped Ascot’s abandoned Clarence House Chase, which was set to pit Willie Mullins’ Champion Chase fav El Fabiolo up against his big rival Jonbon, will be rearranged for Cheltenham’s Trials Day on Saturday week.

And this weekend is not a total loss over the Irish Sea either, with Navan hopeful a favourable forecast will allow them to race on Saturday.

While Ryanair favourite Allaho will take on the likes of Envoi Allen and Appreciate It in a mouthwatering Grade 2 chase at Thurles on Sunday.

But it has by and large been a week to forget for National Hunt fans.

Ludlow and Wincanton’s Thursday fixtures were cancelled, Newbury fell on Wednesday after Chepstow and Plumpton abandoned on Tuesday.