Claisse defends Cheltenham going after King brands November ground 'a joke'

Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse has defended the track against criticism from trainer Alan King after he branded the ground at last week's November meeting "a joke" and claimed watering had resulted in "diabolical" conditions.

Having raced on ground described as good to soft, good in places on Friday, the Old course became considerably deeper midway through Saturday when heavy rain early in the afternoon caused a going change to soft following the third race. Further rain resulted in the hurdles track having heavy places on Sunday.

Three weeks earlier, the opening Friday of the October meeting was conducted on good ground but rain again caused the track to worsen to first good to soft and then soft during Saturday's programme.