Jumpers' bumpers cards scheduled for Lingfield and Newcastle after cancellations

Newcastle and Lingfield's jumps meetings on Friday have been replaced with all-weather jumpers' bumpers cards after both tracks had to cancel due to waterlogging.

A planned midday inspection on Tuesday at Newcastle was brought forward and the forecast offered no hope of improvement during the week.

Lingfield was hit with a further 5mm of rain on Monday, leading to standing water in places and waterlogging at the track and the meeting was called off after a 12.30pm inspection on Tuesday.

However, both tracks will still stage fixtures on Friday comprising seven-race cards with the option of dividing to eight races if required. Entries close on Wednesday with declarations at the 24-hour stage on Thursday.

Newcastle clerk of the course James Armstrong had earlier said: "We've had over an inch of rain since January 1 and there's areas of waterlogging and false ground.

"The frost is nearly out of the ground but the forecast is against us with more rain and temperatures dipping to -2C and -3C at night and hovering just above freezing in the day.

"It's a nightmare time of year and there's not a lot you can do about it when you're against the elements. We'll be hoping for some dry weather in the lead up to our next jumps meeting (January 20)."

A spate of abandonments have hit British racing this week with Ludlow's fixture on Tuesday cancelled due to frozen ground and an insufficient rise in temperatures, while Ayr suffered the same fate for Wednesday's meeting.

Racing will only take place on the all-weather, at Wolverhampton and Kempton, on Wednesday, while the going for jumping at Ffos Las on Thursday is heavy and the take-off and landing areas have been covered due to the threat of frost.

Prospects appear much brighter the same afternoon at Musselburgh, where conditions are described as soft, good to soft in places, although sub-zero overnight temperatures are expected.

Read more if you were interested in this . . .

Sport to continue in Scotland and England despite new lockdowns

Chepstow 'in great order' as Ludlow and Ayr fall victim to cold snap

Get the potential runners for Saturday's rescheduled Welsh Grand National

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club