Ludlow clerk of the course Bob Davies planned to inspect the track at 8am but chose to put back that check until 10am after overnight temperatures dropped to minus six degrees.

Despite the extra time, Davies had to admit defeat after conditions failed to show any improvement.

He said: “We wanted to give it every chance and even though the sun has come up, the frost has not moved.”

Officials at Taunton were also left with no choice but to call off their seven-race card after overnight temperatures dropped to minus three degrees in Somerset.

An initial 8.30am inspection proved inconclusive, which resulted in a negative prognosis at 10.30am.

A course spokesman said: “Parts of the course are still frozen and the temperature is actually dropping again.”

Meanwhile, Lingfield have already abandoned their scheduled jumps fixture on Saturday and will stage an all-weather meeting instead.

The British Horseracing Board announced the contingency plan on Tuesday after considering the adverse weather forecasts for the week.

The predicted icy conditions have now rendered the jumps track unraceable but clerk of the course Neil Mackenzie Ross is pleased to be staging some Flat action.

“It was great forward thinking by everyone involved to have a contingency plan for Saturday but we had a feeling at the beginning of the week the turf meeting could be in danger,” he said.

“We went down to minus four on Tuesday which left us unraceable and we were down to minus seven last night and the ground is absolutely frozen solid.

“It is due to get to minus four again tonight and we have the prospect of heavy snow – that wouldn’t affect the all-weather track as we could grate it off.

“By inspecting early we have put everyone in the picture and it means people know what is going on well in advance.”

The closing two-mile Marsh Green Standard National Hunt Flat Race will still be staged though as Lingfield run all their bumpers on the all-weather track.

Friday’s card at Southwell is also in jeopardy as an inspection has been called at 4pm to determine prospects for racing.

The course is currently frozen after temperatures dropped well below freezing on Wednesday.

To that end, officials are keen to assess conditions as another cold night is expected.

“At the moment the track is frozen as it was minus four here overnight,” said Southwell’s Dave Williams.

“The forecast for tonight is for temperatures between minus three and minus eight with a wind chill factor as well.”

However, there is better news at Newbury, as they are confident about their chances of beating the weather ahead of their two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday.

After losing the totesport Trophy meeting last month, the Berkshire track have taken no chances this time having covered the track with frost sheets.

The operation to shield all 28 acres of the track began on Tuesday and up to 30 groundstaff have been involved.

“We’ve had the whole racing line covered overnight,” said clerk of the course Richard Osgood.

“Last night we went down to a low of minus four and, underneath the covers, the ground is perfectly raceable.

“We are bringing in more covers to ensure the area the horses use to canter down to the start is fine and we should be okay for both days.

“At the moment we are fine to race and I can’t envisage any problems.”