Friday's card at Sedgefield has been abandoned due to a frozen track with temperatures forecast to remain below freezing at the course this week.

A 4.30pm inspection on Wednesday failed due to parts of the track still being frozen while snow is forecast on Wednesday night with temperatures on Friday estimated at -3C.

Sedgefield's clerk of the course Michael Naughton said: "There was still frost at 4.30pm and the weather forecast isn't looking good. We needed a few things to go right for us but they haven't.

"We've got an awful lot of people travelling from down south and a long way off having to make arrangements so we think this is the fairest thing to do. We need to let them get their ducks in a row."

Catterick will inspect at 7.30am ahead of Thursday's meeting which features the North Yorkshire Grand National.

Betfair and Paddy Power offer money back on non-runners at Cheltenham Festival

Betfair have announced they are offering money back on all non-runners at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival from Tuesday.

With two months to go until the beginning of the four-day meeting, they have joined Paddy Power in providing the punter-friendly offer. Betfair will also refund for any customers who have backed Irish-trained runners should they not be allowed to travel.

Betfred are currently offering non-runner no bet on the four championship races: the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Gold Cup.

Spokesman Barry Orr said: "In these uncertain times this offer gives our customers the confidence that they can bet their selections in our ante-post markets and should their horse take up another option at the festival or, in the case of Irish-trained runners, if they were precluded from traveling, for any reason, then they get their cash back.

"Anyone who has backed an Irish-trained horse in our ante-post markets can expect a refund should Irish runners not be allowed to travel."