Ascot's big card on Saturday has been abandoned due to snow.

Course officials were due to inspect the track at 4.30pm, but were forced into making an early call in light of the worsening conditions.

The meeting was due to see the return of Sprinter Sacre in the Victor Chandler Chase.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "We went out to take a look just after 11.30am and the snow was still coming down very heavily. There are two inches of snow on parts of the track and we can't cope with that.

"We had an attempt to get one of the covers off, but there is so much snow on them already and there is more to come.

"If we didn't have covers down we wouldn't be raceable anyway. The ground under the covers is very nice, but that's the way it goes, unfortunately. It's frustrating."

Stickels believes the British Horseracing Authority are looking into the possibility of rescheduling the feature event to Cheltenham's meeting at the end of the month.

He went on: "I think the BHA have got tentative plans to reschedule it to Cheltenham. We're speaking to Victor Chandler and Cheltenham to try and get something together."

13 May 2013

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12 May 2013

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11 May 2013

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Ramsa ready to stand Trial
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10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
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Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests