Arctic blast hits Ludlow racecourse

The fresh arctic weather blast has accounted for all National Hunt racing before Christmas - with Ludlow amongst the casualties.

The traditional festive meeting at the south Shropshire track, which was due to be held on Wednesday, was abandoned yesterday due to snow and frost.

"We had minus 13c on Saturday night," said clerk of the course Bob Davies.

"We haven't had a chance since last week. It was a formality really. We could only have raced on two days since November 24."

It means the weather has put paid to both Ludlow's December meetings - as well as a host of others around the country.

Today's all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton failed to survive the extreme temperatures after a 6.30am inspection this morning, meaning a blank day of action for punters.

Clerk of the course Fergus Cameron said: "The temperature didn't get much above minus 6c yesterday and it's minus 11c this morning with freezing fog.

"We have basically got frozen moisture suspended in the track."

Today's National Hunt cards at Ffos Las and Taunton had already fallen by the wayside, while tomorrow's meeting at Sedgefield was called off after an inspection this morning.

Like Ludlow, Musselburgh is also off on Wednesday but there is due to be all-weather action tomorrow and Wednesday before racing ends for Christmas.

There were also problems over the weekend with Southwell the sole survivor of five meetings on Saturday while yesterday's two scheduled cards - at Kempton and Carlisle - were off.

By JAMES GARRISON