Racing: Jockeys are scolded by angry Rowe

Local trainer Richard Rowe described yesterday's abandonment of racing at Plumpton because of snow as an "absolute joke". The meeting was cancelled after the jockeys had been recalled from the start of the fifth race.

Rowe, who had a runner in each of the last three scheduled races, said: "I don't blame the stewards - the jockeys panicked. It was snowing, but two minutes after the abandonment there was brilliant sunshine. At four o'clock, an hour and a half afterwards, there's not a snowflake in sight, and you could easily run two races. Stewards have to be guided by the jockeys, and they couldn't wait to get home. What are they rushing home for? Neighbours?''

Frost and snow is a threat to several other race meetings this week.