Next few days crucial to Cheltenham

Officials at Cheltenham will anxiously monitor temperatures over the next couple of days in the hope of staging the big New Year's Day meeting.

Next few days crucial to Cheltenham

Officials at Cheltenham will anxiously monitor temperatures over the next couple of days in the hope of staging the big New Year's Day meeting.

Like most courses around the country, the Prestbury Park venue is covered in snow and firmly in the unwelcome grip of the freeze.

Communications manager Andy Clifton told Racing UK: "We are currently covered in something like six inches of snow, and we are due to get no higher than -5C today.

"The next three or four days will determine what happens at the weekend. The forecast is not as encouraging as it was a few days ago, but we still have chances.

"It's probably too soon to say what our exact chance is - in the next two or three days we will be in a much better position to start making predictions.

"The forecast has to be accurate, or better than accurate, for us to have a chance. In the next 36 hours we need temperatures to be up and for the snow to melt.

"If it doesn't get as high as they forecast then we are struggling."

more courts articles

Nine people appear in court over protest outside refugee centre in Dublin Nine people appear in court over protest outside refugee centre in Dublin
DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules

More in this section

Double delight for Keane at Tipperary as Evening Saigon stakes Royal Ascot claim  Double delight for Keane at Tipperary as Evening Saigon stakes Royal Ascot claim 
Dante Festival 2024 - Day One - York Racecourse Murphy backs Satire's class but admits stamina question
Duffle Coat finally gets his day in the sun by winning Mayo National  Duffle Coat finally gets his day in the sun by winning Mayo National 
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited