Tempers fray and resentment rises as relentless rain ruins Cheltenham for some

Squelch! That was the sound of day two at this Cheltenham Festival, made by jockeys hitting the turf and also by friends of owners stepping gingerly across the waterlogged paddock in inadequate footwear.

Many bets were also squelched, bets that had been placed in the reasonable expectation of ordinary, March-type ground and were effectively pulped by unreasonably persistent rain. Like the guest invited for Christmas who settles in for New Year, the rain's arrival had been expected but it was supposed to disappear in short order.

Tempers frayed as it became clear the sacred turf was turning soggy and resentful things were said about the fact that the track had been watered on Tuesday night. Racing's various factions have trouble getting on the same page but if there is one thing that unites trainers and punters, it is frustration about ground being watered when rain is forecast, which then not only turns up but actually buckets down.