Plumpton passes inspection but Stratford forced to cancel

A wet start to the week has left testing ground around Britain as the countdown to Cheltenham enters its final phase.

Overnight rain led to an inspection being called at Plumpton at 9am, which has been passed, but Stratford was forced to call its card off after a second morning inspection.

No inspection has been called at Taunton, though the going has eased to heavy, while Chelmsford and Dundalk stage all-weather cards.

Going report

Dundalk - first race 2.00
Standard

Taunton - 2.15
Heavy (GoingStick 4.4 on Monday at 6am)

Plumpton - 2.20
Heavy

Stratford - 2.30
Cancelled

Chelmsford - 5.45
Standard

Market movers

Taunton 2.10
Ballyantics 9-1 (from 11)

Stratford 4.00
Free Stone Hill 7-2 (from 9-2)

Plumpton 4.50
King Cnut 8-1 (from 10)

What to back

Richard Birch leads our tipping team aiming to boost your Cheltenham bank and he is not holding back with three fancies across the meetings for subscribers.

James Hill flags up his best bet of the day in no time at all in the latest Ten Second Tip . . .

What to read

Lee Mottershead meets Britain's third-oldest man 109-year-old Ralph Hoare, who is returning to Cheltenham this week.

Members can access a pre-Cheltenham Monday Jury special, featuring trainer Peter Bowen and jockey Will Kennedy.

What to watch

News editor Mark Storey with a round-up of all the big Cheltenham news . . .

The best of Racing Post Sport

Premier League champions-elect Manchester City travel to Stoke to the televised game and Mark Langdon picks out the standout value for punters.

Final thought

The likely ground for the start of the Cheltenham tomorrow will continue to be the main talking point on the eve of the festival. More rain than was originally forecast is expected for today and if another 10mm does arrive on going already described as heavy in places, it is surely going to be a proper mud bath.

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