First Day Of Lingfield Winter Millions Meeting Cancelled On Friday Due To Frozen Ground

With temperatures dropping around the UK, Lingfield is the latest casualty for abandoned meetings this week as Friday’s Winter Millions opening  card has been cancelled due to frozen ground. 

Lingfield Cancelled On Friday Due To Frozen Ground

The opening day of of the three-day Lingfield Winter Millions fixture has been cancelled due to a frozen track, with temperatures not set to rise enough in the next 48 hours to be able to stage the racing.

It was set to be a thrilling day of action to kickstart the weekend’s meeting, with the feature contest being the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase where Venetia Williams’ Djelo headed the market. Other notable entries included Gavin Cromwell’s My Mate Mozzie. The good news however, is that this race looks to be moved to Sunday’s card.

With Lingfield being the latest horse racing cancelled, it means we now may just have three meetings in the UK and Ireland on Friday. Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Dundalk (IRE) are all staging all-weather cards, with flat racing also coming from Meydan (UAE).

🚨 Racing has been cancelled at Lingfield on Friday due to a frozen track

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) January 17, 2024

Lingfield Racecourse released a statement on Wednesday morning: “Due to ongoing below freezing temperatures this week, the track is frozen in areas under the fleece. 

“The forecast shows no prospect of improvement aheaf of Friday, therefore we have made the decision to abandon. 

“All bookers and Annual Members will be contacted shortly via email. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Forecasts improve ahead of the Winter Million Sunday Jumps fixture with positive temperatures forecast overnight on Saturday.

“The Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase from Friday’s programme has been transferred to Sunday’s Jumps fixture, creating an 8-race card. “

Check out the upcoming ITV Racing Schedule to see which meetings will be broadcast live. You can also check out Friday’s ITV Racing Schedule where action comes from just Market Rasen now, with Lingfield being cancelled.

Lingfield Winter Millions Weekend Schedule

Friday 19th Jan (ABANDONED)

• 12:40 – Winter Million Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m7f
• 1:15 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl3 (5yo+) 2m7½f 
• 1:50 – Lets Bet Personal With Fitzdares/EBF Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Chase (Series Qualifier) (GBB) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m4f 
• 3:00 – Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m3½f
• 3:35 – Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) Cl2 (4yo+) 2m 
• 4:10 – Winter Million Supports Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase Cl3 (5yo+ 0-130) 2m4f 

Saturday 20th Jan

• 10:10 – Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95) 1m
• 10:40 – BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap (Class 5) (4yo+ 0-70) 2m
• 11:10 –  Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85) 6f
• 11:40 – Boost Your Acca-Fenwa With BetUK Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-78) 1m4f
• 12:15 – Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-78) 7f
• 12:50 – Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) 5f
• 1:25 – BetMGM Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) 1m2f

Sunday 21st Jan

• 12:00 – Download The Racing App Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) 2m
• 12:40 – Winter Million Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4-6yo) 2m
• 1:15 – Weatherbys Digital Solutions Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 2m
• 1:50 – Godstone Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) 2m
• 2:25 – Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) 2m7f
• 3:00 – Fleur De Lys Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+) 2m6f
• 3:35 – Surrey National Handicap Chase (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-135) 3m5f
• 4:10 – Winter Million Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-125)