Shropshire racing hit by the big freeze

Hopes of National Hunt racing returning to Shropshire at the start of 2011 are already in doubt because of the on-going cold snap.

That's the view of Ludlow's clerk of the course Bob Davies as he begins preparations for the next scheduled meeting on January 6.

The south Shropshire track has already lost its two December cards to the arctic blast, including tomorrow's traditional pre-Christmas fixture.

"You would have to say the January 6 card must already be in some doubt unless there is a let-up," said Davies.

"There is no forecast thaw this side of Christmas and unless we get rain or a good few days of temperatures of four or five degrees, it's hard to see the frost coming out of the ground."

Davies admitted he was disappointed to have to draw stumps on tomorrow's festive card, one of the highlights of the year at the track.

"It is a blow because a lot of people come for their Christmas parties," added Davies.

"We would have had a crowd close to 2,000 and over 700 meals.

"We insure against all our meetings so it's not a financial disaster — but we would have been better off if we had been racing."

One glimmer of light amid the weather gloom for Ludlow is that Davies has reported an increase in attendances for the meetings in October and November compared to 12 months ago.

By JAMES GARRISON