Conditions ease but Cheltenham avoids worst of the heavy rain on Wednesday

Rain battered much of Britain on Wednesday but Cheltenham avoided the worst of it as the track prepares for its first meeting since the festival in March on Friday.

The ground was eased to good, good to soft in places, after clerk of the course Simon Claisse walked the track on Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday is forecast to be dry before showers on Friday when Cheltenham hosts a seven-race card, the first four of which are on ITV4.

Cheltenham card for Friday

The feature 2m handicap chase, won last year by subsequent Ryanair Chase second Saint Calvados, has attracted 13 runners including stablemate and similarly-owned Rouge Vif as well as the Chris Gordon-trained On The Slopes.

National Hunt Chase favourite Galvin and Soldier In Love arrive in top form after summer campaigns and clash in the 3m novice chase, while 20 runners contest the 2m5f handicap hurdle, in which Cillin Leonard and Richard Newland struck last year with Duke Street and bid to repeat the feat with favourite Captain Tom Cat.

The penultimate race – the 2m novice chase – sees Elite Hurdle hero Fusil Raffles take on former Challow Hurdle second Getaway Trump on his second start over fences.

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