THE weather continues to play havoc with National Hunt racing with Haydock Park a major victim on Saturday.

Just 30 minutes before the Merseyside venue’s Tommy Whittle card was due to start, officials were forced to abandon.

With Saturday’s other two meetings – at Ascot and Newcastle – having already been called off on Friday morning and Sunday’s Carlisle fixture also a victim it meant there was no jumps race in Britain over the weekend.

Haydock had looked to have beaten the freeze when they passed an 8am inspection on Saturday, but with conditions deteriorating at noon inspection forced the abandonment. A deputation of trainers and jockeys checked conditions at the track and were in agreement they had to call the seven-race card off.

Managing director Dickon White explained: “We had the covers down on Tuesday morning but unfortunately when the covers came off the ground was still frozen.

“It’s always difficult and we try to keep people informed as to what’s happening – the public, trainers and jockeys.

“I think we did everything possible to get this meeting on and the elements went against us. The forecast was for it to get above freezing. It hasn’t done that and it is a difficult situation.

“I think we would have done exactly the same, but we will do a full review of this as we do everytime and we will have a full investigation. The ground staff have done a great job but conditions have gone against us.”

Champion jockey Tony McCoy added: “The fences are frozen and as far as the ground is concerned it’s debatable whether they should have raced or not, but I think they have done the right thing.”

Today’s scheduled card at Musselburgh was also called off yesterday, while Ffos Las must pass an 8am precautionary inspection before today’s only other National Hunt is given the go-ahead.

Clerk of the course Tim Long said conditions were raceable yesterday but felt it best to check again this morning.

Tomorrow’s meeting at Bangor must also pass an inspection today if it is to go ahead.