Newcastle meeting abandoned

This afternoon's fixture at Newcastle has been abandoned due to a combination of waterlogging and snow cover.

This afternoon's fixture at Newcastle has been abandoned due to a combination of waterlogging and snow cover.

Officials at Gosforth Park held an early check at 7.00am with parts of the track still covered in snow.

That inspection proved inconclusive and prompted clerk of the course James Armstrong to announce a second look for 9.00am.

However, the combination of melting snow and heavy rain left him with no option but to bring his decision forward.

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Armstrong said: "We've given it every chance but we've had to abandon as we've now got problems with waterlogging as well as partial snow cover on one part of the course.

"We've now had 14 millimetres of rain on top of the thaw and there are still areas on the far side of the course with snow.

"I'm afraid it has just gone the wrong way for us and we've had to call the meeting off."

On a better note today's meeting at Lingfield goes ahead after officials were able to abort a precautionary inspection scheduled for 7.30am.

Clerk of the course Neil Mackenzie Ross had planned to look at conditions after the track was hit with a minor frost the previous morning.

However, following a milder night, there was no need to hold the early-morning check.