RACING fans were left disappointed after this afternoon's meeting at Haydock Park was abandoned barely half an hour before the scheduled start time of the first race.

Having survived an 8am inspection, it appeared the frost covers that had been put over the track had done their job.

However, temperatures failed to rise and the fences were frozen.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "The meeting was called off because of unsafe conditions underfoot and the frozen fences.

"The frost covers did their job but as we lifted them, and it takes three hours to complete the job, the ground was freezing behind us."

He added the forecast for Haydock had suggested the temperature would get up to zero, but this never happened.

He continued: "As I said at 8am, the course was fit to race then and we were expecting to go ahead, but the weather has beaten us.

"It is snowing and has been for a while and that has not helped."

Haydock managing director Dickon White said: "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.

"I think we would have done exactly the same, but we will do a full review of this, as we do every time, and we will have a full investigation."

The six-race card should have started at 12.40pm and featured the Blue Square I-Card Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.