THE Arctic weather has claimed more race meetings.

Tomorrow's meeting at Ludlow has joined the list of casualties.

This afternoon's meeting at Huntingdon was abandoned this morning after freezing overnight temperatures left a heavy frost.

The jumps fixture at Newcastle scheduled for this afternoon was called off yesterday.

Ludlow's clerk of the course Bob Davies said: "It got down to -7C last night and there is no chance of a thaw. The course is frozen solid."

Prospects look better for tomorrow's Taunton meeting. Although there are patches of the course affected by frost, officials are hopeful that racing will be possible. There is an inspection of the course planned for 8am tomorrow.

Racing was set to go ahead at Lingfield this afternoon after the Equitrack surface passed an inspection this morning. The course was affected by a heavy frost overnight.

The best hope of racing tomorrow racing is the Flat meeting at Wolverhampton's all-weather track, which is the destination of former top National Hunt jockey Brendan Powell.

After a long and successful career, which included a Grand National victory on Rhyme 'N Reason, and a Scottish National triumph on local horse Young Kenny, Powell hung up his boots last year and turned his hand to training.

Already up and running in his new role, the popular Irishman can add to his score at Wolverhampton, courtesy of Tuscan in the Bet Direct Handicap over six furlongs.

A proven runner on sand, Tuscan found the switch back to five furlongs against him at Lingfield last time and failed by three-quarters of a length to catch Justalord.

Over an extra furlong tomorrow, nap selection Tuscan can go one better for Powell and jockey, Martin Dwyer.

In the Bet Direct 'Today's Best Bet' Handicap over seven furlongs, Technician has strong claims.

Eric Alston's gelding has been in good form lately and was beaten less than three lengths into third by Risky Reef at Southwell on his latest start.

A previous winner over this course and distance, tomorrow's return to Wolverhampton is expected to suit him. Michael Fenton has the mount.

Rambo Waltzer, a regular on the sand, can show his younger rivals a clean pair of heels in the Gladstone Claiming Stakes, while Robin Sharp looks the one to be in the Disraeli Maiden Stakes.

Trained by William Jarvis, Robin Sharp has finished runner-up in his last two efforts on the sand. With Jimmy Quinn on board, the Newmarket colt can go one better and open his winning account.

Tomorrow's Tips

Wolverhampton

1.30 - Come On Murgy

2.00 - Rambo Waltzer

2.30 - Technician

3.00 - Robin Sharp

3.30 - Pipe Music

4.00 - Tuscan (Nap)

Updated: 12:59 Wednesday, January 17, 2001