Cheltenham weather forecast

[Can't Catch Me]

From Kim Bailey's blog this morning:

Snow gone off the roads and the colour green was back in the description of my surroundings.. Relief.
Relief too for Simon Claisse (Clerk of the course at Cheltenham) who was over for supper last night.
Simon and his team had just dug the last fence clear of snow. Every fence on the course, including the cross country fences, had their snow covering removed by shovel and barrow. That stops false ground around the fences from melting snow, and you might well ask why no tractor help.. tractor tyre marks on the grass.
Simon was happy that the course had taken the weather well and was even amazed to see some grass growth.. The ground is currently described as soft and good to soft in places and with not a huge amount of rain forecasted the likely hood is that the ground on the first day will be good to soft and after 4 days, good… So be warned don’t go mad backing heavy ground horses.

[charlie]

From Kim Bailey's blog this morning:

Snow gone off the roads and the colour green was back in the description of my surroundings.. Relief.
Relief too for Simon Claisse (Clerk of the course at Cheltenham) who was over for supper last night.
Simon and his team had just dug the last fence clear of snow. Every fence on the course, including the cross country fences, had their snow covering removed by shovel and barrow. That stops false ground around the fences from melting snow, and you might well ask why no tractor help.. tractor tyre marks on the grass.
Simon was happy that the course had taken the weather well and was even amazed to see some grass growth.. The ground is currently described as soft and good to soft in places and with not a huge amount of rain forecasted the likely hood is that the ground on the first day will be good to soft and after 4 days, good… So be warned don’t go mad backing heavy ground horses.

Top stuff CCM, thank you

[jkite16]

From Kim Bailey's blog this morning:

Snow gone off the roads and the colour green was back in the description of my surroundings.. Relief.
Relief too for Simon Claisse (Clerk of the course at Cheltenham) who was over for supper last night.
Simon and his team had just dug the last fence clear of snow. Every fence on the course, including the cross country fences, had their snow covering removed by shovel and barrow. That stops false ground around the fences from melting snow, and you might well ask why no tractor help.. tractor tyre marks on the grass.
Simon was happy that the course had taken the weather well and was even amazed to see some grass growth.. The ground is currently described as soft and good to soft in places and with not a huge amount of rain forecasted the likely hood is that the ground on the first day will be good to soft and after 4 days, good… So be warned don’t go mad backing heavy ground horses.

This has definitely eased my concerns on switching Samcro to the Supreme if the ground came up too soft. Fingers crossed he stays in the Ballymore and wins!!!

[Lessey]

This has definitely eased my concerns on switching Samcro to the Supreme if the ground came up too soft. Fingers crossed he stays in the Ballymore and wins!!!

The only slight issue might be the estimated 50mm rain between now and next Tuesday...

[opatcho]

The only slight issue might be the estimated 50mm rain between now and next Tuesday...

That rain on sat looks nasty, followed by up some more on Sunday....

[Faugheen_Machine]

This is the site we use for weather forecasts at work. It's much better than BBC, or so I'm told.

http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/cheltenham

[Star Of A Gunner]

Hope the 40mph winds from the Monday aren't an issue, but there again they struggle to get a forecast right for a couple of days in advance, let alone 7 or 8.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Personally, I'd ignore any forecast further than 2 or 3 days ahead

[Lessey]

Personally, I'd ignore any forecast further than 2 or 3 days ahead

Agreed, but I cannot believe soft is still odds against for the opening day of the festival...imagine 12+ mm of rain on the Monday night before the fez

[Faugheen_Machine]

Agreed, but I cannot believe soft is still odds against for the opening day of the festival...imagine 12+ mm of rain on the Monday night before the fez

The problem with that bet is Simon Claisse will probably still call it good to soft, even if it is anything else.

[Scooby91]

Agreed, but I cannot believe soft is still odds against for the opening day of the festival...imagine 12+ mm of rain on the Monday night before the fez

Back soft at your own peril. Bookies don't give away free money. And this heavy ground / soft festival is massively over played.

[Geordieboy83]

So many different forecasts being shared around. Just wait until Monday when we will have a idea of forecast. Very true point also scooby bookies don’t give away free money.

[Istabraq]

It’s been blown up because Simon Claisse didn’t dismiss the prospect of heavy ground, the bookies weren’t buying it but several punters it appears did.

The updates from the locals are appreciated and our best weather guide...

[festival fanatic]

I don't bet on what the ground will be but whichever way you look at it, there will be rain between now and Tuesday. The amount may be up for debate but all forecasts show that some is due. For those horses seeking better ground, I'd offer the following comfort for their backers. The ground is fresh and the grass is growing, which will in itself take moisture out. All of the frost will now have come out. Heavy ground is possible but unlikely imo, unless it rains heavily during the meeting itself. As there has been no recent watering, there is less likely to be false ground. So, even if it is officially soft, this will be the best ground that many of the runners will have faced in a while. It will be safe with less likelihood of injuries to horses and riders and I don't think you'll hear too many trainers complain about it.

[opatcho]

I use YR which tends to be pretty accurate, and it’s forecssting 10-15mm plus from Wednesday night....

I’m preparing myself for a mud bath!