18 January 2024 , 18:05
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The cold snap has claimed its biggest victim after Saturday's BetMGM Clarence House Chase fixture at Ascot was abandoned..
The track was due to host a seven-race card, with the Grade One feature set to stage a rematch between old foes El Fabiolo and Jonbon. But the course was said to be unraceable following an afternoon inspection on Thursday and with more freezing temperatures forecast.
A statement from Ascot posted on X read: "The BetMGM Clarence House Chase Raceday has been abandoned. Temperatures dropped to minus 6C overnight into Thursday and the track is still frozen in places at 4pm under the covers.
"Given the forecast remains for sub-zero temperatures over the next two nights there is no prospect of improvement before raceday on Saturday."
The British Horseracing Authority says it is in talks with stakeholders on the options for the potential rescheduling of races lost this weekend, among them the Clarence House.
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Haydock's big Saturday card could go the same way and hinges on a Friday morning inspection with prospects bleak.
Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright admits the card, which is headlined by the Sky Bet Peter Marsh Chase, needs a "miracle" if it is to go ahead.
The Ascot meeting has been abandoned (Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)"We've not had a great day and the frost hasn't even got off the running rail, so we are not looking great," Tellwright said on Thursday afternoon.
"We will wait to see if the thaw starts early but there is no indication of it, so I think we will be put out of our misery in the morning.
"We just need to pray there is a miracle and the thaw starts in time."
Taunton officials will also inspect on Friday lunchtime but prospects are better for Lingfield's all weather card and Sunday turf fixture, part of its Winter Million meeting.