Newcastle abandoned after snow

Saturday afternoon's meeting at Newcastle was abandoned after overnight snow left the track unraceable.

Having covered parts of the course to guard against the threat of frost, clerk of the course James Armstrong was not anticipating any problems ahead of an excellent seven-race card, due to feature the prestigious Betfred Eider.

However, he arrived at the track to an unexpected wintry scene and has forced to admit defeat.

He said: "We've had a good inch of snow, probably a bit more than that and the forecast suggests there is another inch or two coming in.

"There are plenty of people here willing to lend a hand but in the time we've got it's an impossible task, I'm afraid.

"We covered a mile and a quarter of the track with fleece earlier in the week and we've tried to take it off. Because there is so much snow on top, it is balling up and the fleece is tearing.

"It's snowing heavily again now and unfortunately we've had no option but to call off the meeting."