06 March 2023 , 17:49
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Cheltenham Festival chiefs are confident the track will cope with the outcome of an ever-changing forecast.
As snow sweeps in to the UK, groundstaff are monitoring conditions closely at Prestbury Park. With just over a week to go to the four-day meeting, a mix of cold weather and rain is expected in the build-up to the National Hunt extravaganza.
Snow could give Cheltenham's turf a dusting, according to clerk of the course Jon Pullin – but warmer temperatures are on the way.
"There's a risk of snow this week, nothing of any significant volume," he said. "At the moment we may get longer spells of rain on Friday and Sunday, up to six millimetres on both days.
"There is uncertainty, so we will keep an eye on the forecast and react to it."
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
Watering ceased at the weekend, as Pullin's team let the elements take there course for now. He reports the going on the hurdle, chase and cross country tracks to be a mixture of good to soft and good.
Elsewhere the cold weather threatens Tuesday's card at Newcastle, where an 8am inspection is planned, plus Wednesday's Catterick programme.
A possible low of -5C on Monday night is looming for officials at the North Yorkshire venue, No morning check is planned at Sandown, the location for Tuesday's Grand Military Gold Cup.
The 2023 Cheltenham Festival gets underway next Tuesday (Getty Images)Most renewals have been run the day before the Betfair Imperial Cup, however the meetings were split up for logistical reasons. Up to 15mm of rain is in range for Friday, the top end on Andrew Cooper's weather map.
"We should be out of the frost risk by Friday morning and then the rain is due," the Esher clerk said. "Coming off a prolonged dry spell we will be able to take an appreciable amount. There's nothing there to cause us particular alarm."