Big freeze pulverises racing with Lingfield latest to fall victim and Ascot’s Clarence House card on a knife edge

BRITAIN’S big freeze has pulverised racing with Lingfield’s big Winter Million fixture the latest to fall victim to the Arctic blast.

And Ascot’s blockbuster Clarence House Chase card on Saturday is on a knife edge.

AlamyFrost sheets have been covering tracks up and down the country in a bid to beat the freezing cold weather[/caption]

The first of Lingfield’s big three-day meeting has been axed, despite 42 members of ground staff spending ten hours covering the track.

Even that proved futile against the sub-zero temperatures, though, with the track frozen under the fleece.

Lingfield confirmed this morning in a post on X: “Racing abandoned – Winter Million Friday, January 19.

“Due to ongoing below freezing temperatures this week, the track is frozen in areas under the fleece.

“The forecast shows no prospect of improvement ahead of Friday, therefore we have made the decision to abandon.

“Forecasts improve ahead of the Winter Million Sunday Jumps fixture with positive temperatures forecast overnight on Saturday.”

The Flat meeting at the track that day takes place on the all-weather, while it is hoped Sunday’s card, headlined by the £165,000 Fleur De Lys chase, will be saved by milder temperatures overnight.

That could come too late for Ascot, though.

Their Clarence House Chase had to be rescheduled for Cheltenham’s Trials Day last year.

The 2m chase is being billed as a clash between Champion Chase fav El Fabiolo and his big rival Jonbon.

But El Fabiolo’s owners have no interest in travelling for a rearranged race later this month.

It means the blockbuster head-to-head clash could be put back to the Champion Chase on the second day of March’s Cheltenham Festival.

Meanwhile, Newbury’s fixture has been abandoned on Wednesday in a crushing blow to Sky Sports Racing.

They were all set to host their first day’s action from the track after signing a sparkling new five-year deal.

Southwell miraculously goes ahead with its jumps card today.

But Ludlow and Wincanton have axed their Friday jumps fixtures.

Haydock’s going was changed to frozen yesterday and they, like Ascot, are praying temperatures rise before their Saturday card.

Taunton’s meeting on the same day must pass a 12pm inspection on Friday with the track currently unraceable.

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