Racing at Cheltenham goes ahead after late inspection drama

Today's meeting at Cheltenham goes ahead as planned after a consortium of trainers, jockeys and officials were satisfied with conditions after a shock inspection was called less than an hour before the first race.

Persistent rain during the morning had turned the going soft, heavy in places by 12.45pm with clerk of the course Simon Claisse calling an impromptu inspection following 30mm of rain in the last 24 hours.

Claisse said: "After over 30mm of rain in the last 24 hours and it continuing to rain we took the decision to have a precautionary inspection which has been passed.

"The rain is due to stop shortly and the jockeys are happy with conditions. There is some lying water in the wear and tear from yesterday's racing."

Gavin Sheehan, who walked the course, confirmed conditions were raceable after testing the ground with his stick, which went in no more than four inches.

Jockeys Daryl Jacob and Sean Bowen, along with trainers Harry Fry, Henry Daly and Neil Mulholland were among those to join Claisse out on the track before passing it fit for racing, although the third-last fence will be omitted in the chase races due to standing water.

After the abandonment of both Doncaster and Newbury, all races at Cheltenham will start five minutes later than advertised, with the first race now off at 2.05pm.

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