Cheltenham going eases to good, good to soft as yellow rain warning issued ahead of Showcase meeting

Cheltenham’s going has changed to good, good to soft in places ahead of the William Hill Showcase meeting, with expected double-digit rainfall on the way.

Racing at the flagship jumps track returns for the first time since the spring across Friday and Saturday, which for many marks the start of the jumps season.

The Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for the area on Thursday, with heavy rain expected by early Wednesday evening.

Jon Pullin, clerk of the course, said: "I've updated the going to good, good to soft in places. We've had another dry day but rain is forecast to come in on Wednesday night and continue into Thursday morning.

"The volume varies, but we look certain to get double-digit rainfall, with some forecasts indicating around 20mm and others suggesting even more. We'll have to see what we get and take it from there."

King's Threshold: set to run in the 3m1f handicap chase at Cheltenham on SatudayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Emma Lavelle is one trainer hoping conditions do not worsen. She is set to run 8-1 chance King’s Threshold in the 3m1f handicap chase on Saturday.

She said: “Touch wood, he seems in good order. It's a big ask for his first run of the season but we need to get started. You can draw a line through his run at the end of last season. I think the trip stretched him too much and he'd been on the go for a while, but he had a lovely run of races prior to that. He's taken a long time to mature but he's getting there now.

"I wouldn't want it to be too soft for him. He's better when it's on the slow side of good ground, which is what I'm hoping for. We wouldn't want it to be bottomless; that doesn't play to his strengths. 

"There aren't loads of races available to us. If there were, I'm not sure I'd be starting him off at Cheltenham. So we'll see what happens."

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