Cheltenham ground remains soft, heavy in places with rain easing off

There was no further ease in the conditions at Cheltenham for today's bumper eight-race BetVictor Gold Cup card after only minimal rain fell overnight.

The ground remains soft, heavy in places following 2.5mm of rain, which is a far cry from the 40mm that fell on Wednesday and Thursday and forced the cancellation of Friday's meeting.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: "We've had just 2.5mm of rain overnight and the ground remains soft, heavy in places. We've had to make a few changes out on the track to avoid waterlogged ground but we're delighted after everyone's efforts on Thursday and Friday to get racing on today."

Cheltenham Saturday card

Cheltenham Sunday card

Due to a patch of false ground before the Old course's third-last fence, that downhill jump will not be taken, having also been missed out on the Saturday of the October meeting.

Also being skipped is the third-last flight, as runners in chases will need to gallop across the part of the track where the hurdle is sited.

The weekend weather at Cheltenham is forecast to be mainly dry with temperatures around 8C.

There are three non-runners with Saint Calvados, who is set to run in Sunday's Shloer Chase, Royal Village and Dell Oro out of the BetVictor Gold Cup (2.25).

Elsewhere, Lord North is a notable non-runner (self-certificate - not eaten up) in the Listed Betway Churchill Stakes (2.45) at Lingfield.

Cheltenham market movers

12.05 Thyme Hill 11-8 (from 13-8)
1.15 Wholestone 2-1 (from 7-4)
1.50 West Approach 4-1 (from 9-2); Potters Legend 13-2 (from 9); Ramses De Teillee 11-4 (from 5-2); Pop Rockstar 9-1 (from 6)
3.30 Jatiluwih 10-3 (from 4)
4.00 Lady In Hiding 15-2 (from 10)

One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to follow on Saturday

Soft-ground specialists: five horses who will revel in Cheltenham conditions

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