Inspection called at Cheltenham with track ‘waterlogged’ as big race could be moved amid torrential rain

AN inspection has been called at Cheltenham with one of the tracks 'waterlogged' amid a torrential downpour.

The Cross Country race on Wednesday could be moved to Friday if it is deemed unraceable during an 8am inspection tomorrow.

Former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, who will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore, is the 2-1 favourite for the race.

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But bosses could move it to Gold Cup day on Friday - creating an eight-race extravaganza - if the ground is too bad.

A Jockey Club statement read: "Following 6mm of rainfall overnight, which is a significant change from the 2mm-4mm initially forecast, and with a further 4mm-6mm forecast today (Tuesday 12th March), there will now be an inspection on the Cross-Country course at 8am tomorrow (Wednesday 13th March).

"The Cross-Country course is currently waterlogged in places. 

"In the unfortunate event that the Cross-Country course fails tomorrow’s inspection, we are working alongside the BHA on a contingency plan for the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase to be run on Friday 15th March, Gold Cup Day.

"We will keep everyone informed as and when decisions have been made.

"The Old and New Course have taken the rain well and the Going is now Soft, Heavy in Places."

The Cross Country track is a separate track on the inside of the main racecourse.

Five horses who will love soft ground on day one at Cheltenham

It features banks and the famous 'cheese wedge' jump and has been won by big names in the past including Delta Work, Grand National hero Tiger Roll and Balthazar King.

Delta Work is this year's defending champion having plundered the £39,000 first-place prize last year.

The development came as Sun Racing's Matt Chapman confirmed the going could be heavy by the time racing starts.

Tens of thousands of punters will pour into the racecourse carrying umbrellas before the first race at 1.30pm.

The opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle is usually accompanied by the famous 'Cheltenham roar'.

But it could be drowned out by the sound of rain with punters taking cover inside if the rain continues.

The going was originally soft but the already sodden ground continues to take a hammering from above.

There are hopes the rest of the week will be a bit drier though.

Strong gusts of up to 32mph on Wednesday, highs of 13C and, crucially, no rain will help the turf recover from this deluge.

And while there is a 50 per cent of rain at the track on Thursday evening, the bulk of the day is dry with more strong gusts.

Friday could see some more showers with around a 40 per cent chance of rain at midday - but the sun should poke through by the time the Gold Cup is run at 3.30pm.

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