A dry forecast means the taps could be turned on again at Prestbury Park

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com 

Cheltenham may water again despite rain falling

CHELTENHAM had its first rain for 12 days on Friday, but a dry forecast could prompt clerk of the course Simon Claisse to turn thetaps back on this weekend to safeguard conditions on the New course.

The going on Friday remained good to soft, good in places, on the both Old and New courses and good, good to soft in places, on the cross country course.

"We have had 2.5mm of rainfall, the first since Sunday before last," said Claisse. "The outlook is looking dry pretty well right through next week and we may take a decision over the weekend to further irrigate the New course."

The Met Office said there is little sign of rain over the next few days.

"It will be a dry night with a touch of frost then across the weekend it will be mostly dry with a risk of a light shower on Sunday afternoon," said a spokesman.

"There is a possibility of light rain on Monday but nothing significant and then it will stay dry until Wednesday when there is a band of patchy rain coming through."