'The weather is proving to be a challenge' - watering under way at Cheltenham as dry spell continues

Cheltenham has already started watering before the festival and is preparing to do so until jump racing's flagship meeting begins next month to counter a dry long-range forecast. 

Just 3mm of rain has fallen at the course since January 15 while a series of frosts has hampered grass growth, conditions which clerk of the course Jon Pullin described as a "challenge".

A severe lack of rain has led to unusually quick conditions across Britain during February. Fakenham's meeting on Friday was cancelled due to hard ground while Newcastle's Thursday card was undermined by 31 non-runners when firm appeared in the going description. Quick ground led to a walkover on Sunday at Newbury, where restrictions ban watering during winter.