Conditions remain testing after further soaking overnight

Further rain at Cheltenham has maintained testing conditions for day three of the festival with the official going description soft, heavy in places.

The action moves to fresh ground on the New course for the last two days, but 9mm of rain overnight has given the track another soaking following heavy rain last weekend and the start of the week.

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: "Most of the track we're running on today – chase and hurdles – we've not set foot on for 12 months. It's in pristine condition and will be perfect for the afternoon sport.

"The rain we had overnight is hopefully petering out and we're looking forward to a dry afternoon."

Some horses have been getting stuck in the mud and so have some vehicles, with the car parks at times proving difficult to escape.

Although four and a half miles of trackway have been laid, in addition to considerable sums of gravel, Cheltenham would prefer as few cars as possible to enter the site.

A spokesperson said: "We encourage people to car share or use public transport where possible over the next few days.

"There's a shuttle bus from Cheltenham Spa train station and the centre of Cheltenham to the racecourse, as well as free parking in town from 1.30pm."

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