Racing braces itself as Storm Bram is set to hit Britain and Ireland with heavy rain forecast for Cheltenham

Cheltenham is among the racecourses in Britain and Ireland this week waiting to see the effects of Storm Bram, with heavy rain and strong winds expected throughout Tuesday.

Yellow and amber warnings have been issued and are set to remain in place until Wednesday in some parts, according to the Met Office, with Cheltenham officials expecting significant rain before the track's two-day December Gold Cup meeting starting on Friday.

Racing switches to Cheltenham's New course for the first time this season, where the ground was described as good to soft, soft in places on Monday.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin said on Monday: "There's not much soft ground left as we've got quite a drying breeze, but we are forecast rain tonight into tomorrow morning, with the risk of significant volumes.

"Some forecasts are suggesting up to 15mm, but others are less than that. Where we end up depends on what we get tonight into tomorrow, because after tomorrow morning the rest of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday looks mainly dry. 

"The forecast for Friday and Saturday is a few light showers but nothing significant. On the forecast, tonight's band of rain is the last significant rain to come through ahead of racing."

Cheltenham's cross-country course is set to be used for the first time this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The going on the cross-country course for Friday's Glenfarclas Crystal Cup was described as good to firm, good in places. The cross-country race at last month's meeting was cancelled due to unsuitably firm ground, but no problems are anticipated this time.

"We cancelled the cross-country race last month as we were way too firm back then, but we've been watering since to get us into a position to be able to race," added Pullin. "We will stage the race and it will be on quicker ground than is normally the case."

Doncaster hosts racing on the same two days as Cheltenham, sharing ITV Racing billing on Saturday, and the ground there was soft, good to soft in places on Monday.

Ayr was forced to cancel its fixture on Tuesday after failing an inspection due to waterlogging.

Officials checked the track at 11.30am on Monday, but it was unraceable after 24mm of rain in a 24-hour period.

Clerk of the course Graeme Anderson said: "After looking in daylight we came across quite a bit of standing water and a few false patches. 

"There's going to be no chance of improvement as tomorrow morning is looking really bad with the storm bringing torrential rain and 60 miles per hour winds."

Hexham officials are keeping an eye on the weather for Wednesday's fixture with the ground already heavy, while at Leicester on the same day the going on the hurdle course was heavy, soft in places (good on the chase track).

Read more:

Five horses to follow at Cheltenham this weekend - including a festival winner, five-timer-seeker and an exciting novice hurdler 

Cheltenham's December Gold Cup on Saturday to be renamed in honour of John Hunt and his family 

Cheltenham's back with the December Gold Cup the highlight - before some of the Flat's brightest stars take centre stage 

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