The freezing conditions have resulted in this afternoon's Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival being postponed.

Earlier today the whole opening day of the meeting had been thrown into doubt as temperatures reached minus 12 overnight with the wind-chill factor taken into account.

However, a 10.30am inspection deemed that the course was fit enough to host today's racing card. Nevertheless, there was still concern as to whether it would be possible for the Cross Country race to take place.

Those fears have been realised after the officials decided that certain parts of the track have not recovered enough from the cold conditions to allow the race to be run.

It has since been reported that it may now take place on Thursday at 5.15pm.