The Festival™ presented by Magners kicks off today, Tuesday, 10 March and the going on the Chase and Hurdle courses has changed to SOFT all round (from Soft, Good to Soft in places yesterday).

 

Simon Claisse, Regional Head Of Racing, Jockey Club Racecourses South West and Clerk Of The Course at Cheltenham, said this morning: “There are a few clouds in the sky, but it is dry.

 

“Overnight, we had four millimetres of rainfall as anticipated and the ground on both the Chase and Hurdle courses is now Soft.

 

“The outlook is for a breezy but dry and mild afternoon.

 

“Gates open at 10.30am, with the first race at 1.30pm. We look forward to an extraordinary day.”

 

The Old Course is in use today and tomorrow, Wednesday, 11 March. The New Course is then used on Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 March.

 

The Cross Country course, used for tomorrow’s Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, is currently Soft, Heavy in places.

 

Non-Runners today

 

2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase

22 General Principle (IRE) (Declared in error)

 

4.50pm Northern Trust Company Novices' Handicap Chase

13 Mellow Ben (IRE) (Self Certificate, Abscess)