RACING: The cold snap is causing problems in both Ireland and Britain with tomorrow's meeting at Fairyhouse being transferred to Thurles and the Sunday fixture scheduled for Punchestown called off due to the snow.

The course at Fairyhouse was also found to be snowbound and waterlogged and consequently the fixture was transferred. The original race conditions and entries for Fairyhouse still stand, with declarations this morning at 10am. The news from Downpatrick is better with no problems expected for Sunday's scheduled card.

Jumps racing returned to Britain yesterday for the first time since Sunday when Haydock and Huntingdon went ahead as planned - but the cold snap is still causing problems.

The first casualty of the weekend was Newcastle with tomorrow's big meeting, featuring the totesport Eider Chase, being abandoned following a lunchtime inspection yesterday.

Much of the track was found to be still covered in snow, while there are areas of standing water where the snow has melted. "We have had to knock it on the head I'm afraid," said clerk of the course James Armstrong.

"I would say about 60 per cent of the track is still covered and there is standing water in other areas. We have walked the whole track, it is unraceable at present and it's not going to improve. The forecast is for more sleet, snow and rain in the next 48 hours so we have decided to take the decision now."

Precautionary 7.30am inspections have been called for today's two jump fixtures at Kempton and Warwick.

Brian Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton, said: "We are raceable at the moment but snow is forecast and we are due a frost of minus two overnight. In view of the forecast we will inspect tomorrow morning and take a view. It is supposed to get warmer tomorrow, so we would be hopeful for Saturday's meeting."

The prospect of a frost last night prompted officials at Warwick to have an early look at the track. "There was a dusting of snow last night and it's been sleeting today. There's also the possibility of frost overnight," said clerk of the course Fiona Needham.

Officials at Chepstow are confident that tomorrow's card will go ahead. Clerk of the course Tim Long said: "We could have raced today as there was only a light frost this morning. We are due to be minus two degrees tonight but after that the temperature will rise. If the weather forecasters are correct we'll have no problems at all."

No problems are reported at the all-weather Flat fixtures at Wolverhampton and Lingfield tomorrow.