THE highly anticipated Portman Cup at Taunton Racecourse has been abandoned this weekend.

Due to start around lunchtime tomorrow at Taunton Racecourse, the card has been called off due to a frozen pitch.

A spokesperson said: "Following last night’s frost, the course is still not raceable.

"There is a 12 hour frost forecast this evening/overnight with no temps above 0C until 1000 tomorrow. Racing has been abandoned."

This was set to be the most valuable raceday of the year at the Orchard Portman course with the total prize money for the seven races amounting to a huge £122,599.

The feature race and the one with the biggest prize on offer - a massive £28,616 to the winning owner - was The Stables Business Park Ltd Portman Cup Steeple Chase over a distance of three miles four and a half furlongs which is due off at 3.47pm.