SOME of the worst Arctic conditions Britain has experienced for many years, has taken its toll on racing across the country over the past three weeks.

Scheduled northern meetings have fallen foul to snow-covered and frosted tracks, and with the more sub-zero temperatures predicted, prospects for the start of the year remain bleak.

Not only has the big freeze deprived trainers and punters of their sport, but it’s also caused problems for many trying to keep their charges in work.

“We’ve managed to keep going, but it’s certainly not been easy,” explained Hawick handler, Bruce Mactaggart.

“The all-weather has been snowed-under, but we’ve been able to work in some of the fields where there’s a good covering of snow.

“It’s just going on a bit too long now, and it’s getting frustrating,” he added.

The conditions have also had a financial impact for the racecourses, forced to abandon scheduled meetings and lose the generated income.

Fixtures had to be abandoned at Ayr, Carlisle, Newcastle and Musselburgh, while Wetherby has lost three meetings in the past fortnight.

“What has happened is the difference between a nice profit and posting a financial lost,” explained Wetherby’s chief executive, John Sanderson.

Hexham also called off its planned Wednesday meeting earlier this week, with the track still covered in snow.

“We have about 18 inches of snow on the course,” explained head groundsman, Mark Cameron, “and the temperature was -5oC, so we had no chance.

“The track has been covered since December 16 and we’ve only had two days in the last three weeks where it’s shown any sign of thawing,” he added.

When racing was in full swing, before Christmas, Hawick jockey, Callum Whillans, rode Madood into third place at Catterick on December 15.

At the same meeting, Lockerbie trainer, Andrew Parker, saddled Dauntsey Bay to finish second in the three-mile handicap hurdle race, ahead of Glen Rouge, ridden by Clovenfords jockey, Ryan Mania.

Under a different code, on the all-weather at Southwell that afternoon, Greg Fairley, from Hawick, was on board Snow Bay to win the one-mile handicap.

Carrying a 7lbs penalty following his impressive Kelso victory last time out, Berwick Law finished third in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle race at Bangor on December 16. The gelding is trained by Pauline Robson for East Lothian owners Ray and Anita Green.

Greg Fairley was back in the frame at Southwell on December 17, when Hydrant finished third in the 1m 3f maiden stakes.

The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow was one of the few courses to run on December 28 where Lucinda Russell’s Silver By Nature finished a gallant runner up. The seven-year-old may now head for the Scottish or Irish National.