The Ascot going report, ahead of their Clarence House Chase Day fixture on Saturday 20th January, will be Googled a lot in the build-up to the weekend with a cold and frozen spell sweeping the country.
**Breaking News** Ascot have now called off their Clarence House Chase Card – more here
Ascot Call Off Clarence House Chase Card
This Saturday horse racing fans, as well as Ascot racecourse officials will be keeping everything crossed ahead of their Clarence House Chase Day on 20th January.
The BetMGM-sponsored seven-race card is headlined by the Grade One Clarence House Chase (3:37pm) and a much-hyped clash between the current Champion Chase favourite with the best UK horse racing betting sites – El Fabiolo – and this season’s Tingle Creek Chase hero Jonbon.
With the current Ascot going ‘good-to-soft’, but ‘frozen’ in places and a dry spell expected in the build-up to race day on Saturday, then the track shouldn’t be in danger of heavy ground or being called off with a waterlogged track.
However, the big threat is the low temperatures sweeping the country at the moment, with no more than highs of between 2-4 degrees expected in the Ascot area, plus minus figures overnight.
Therefore, the concern ahead of Clarence House Chase Day is more of a frozen track. Ascot have announced an inspection at 4pm on Thursday.
Covers Down At Ascot, But Frost Has Creeped Under Them
The track are also giving the meeting every chance to survive, having covered the entire track.
However, with cold nights and days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the course have reported that some areas have seen frost get UNDER the covers.
Clerk of the course, Chris Stickels told the Racing Post
“We’re fully covered but the frost has got through the covers in the odd place,” said clerk of the course Chris Stickels on Tuesday. “We’re not expecting to get that cold tonight, maybe -1C or -2C, then we’ve got a couple more cold nights. Wednesday night and Thursday night look very cold and Friday night we’re not sure yet really.”
“There’s still a bit of a conflicting story there as to whether it’s going to be above freezing or -2C. It looks a tricky forecast at the minute.”
He went onto say “Even what happens tonight is important. If we go and get a really cold night tonight and then you have another two cold nights and clearly, being frozen under the covers now, every consecutive frost you get just sits further into the ground.”
This week, we’ve also had NH cards at Chepstow and Plumpton called off and more are expected.
Should Ascot fall by the wayside due to the weather, there is every chance the Clarence House Chase will still be saved and rerouted to the Cheltenham Trials Day, which is next Saturday (27th January).
Going Description for Ascot Races
The latest Ascot going is described as GOOD-TO-SOFT, but Frozen on places
- Ascot Going: GOOD-TO-SOFT, Frozen in places
- Going Stick: Chase 4.9, Hurdle 5.0
Correct as 21st January 2024
Ascot Weather Forecast for Saturday 20th January 2024
See below the expected Met Office forecast for Ascot racecourse on Saturday. The Berkshire area is expected to have some dry (but cold) days in the build-up to their big Clarence House Chase Day this weekend.
But track officials will still be keeping a close eye on the Ascot racecourse weather with many horse racing fixtures having already been called off in midweek – mainly due to frozen tracks.
Clarence House Chase Day Info
📅Date: Saturday 20th January 2024
🕙Time: First Race 12:40pm, Last Race 4:10pm
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Ascot Race Times: Saturday 20th January 2024
The Saturday action at ASCOT will also be shown by the ITV cameras (four races). Plus, they will also be showing races from Haydock (if on), including the Peter Marsh Chase.
- 12:40: BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) Cl3 (4yo) 1m7½f SKY
- 1:15: BetMGM Handicap Chase Cl3 (5yo+ 0-135) 3m SKY
- 1:50: BetMGM Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The Warfield Mares’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m7½f ITV
- 2:25: bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m5f ITV
- 3:00: BetMGM Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m3½f ITV
- 3:37: BetMGM Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m1f ITV
- 4:10: BetMGM EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race) Cl3 (4-7yo) 2m5½f SKY
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