Cheltenham weather forecast

[Robbante]

This was published this morning - https://www.express.co.uk/sport/hors...orecast-racing

If ever you needed a reminder of how appalling and misleading our national newspapers are

[charlie]

This was published this morning - https://www.express.co.uk/sport/hors...orecast-racing

If ever you needed a reminder of how appalling and misleading our national newspapers are

Absolute disgrace that, its 12 degrees in Cheltenham ffs!

[Robbante]

Absolute disgrace that, its 12 degrees in Cheltenham ffs!

And not a speck of snow to be seen anywhere on course!

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Most of the rain is due Friday night/early Saturday morning. Hopefully another dry day tomorrow to counter that

[opatcho]

Just come back from a walk up Cleeve hill..... it was hammering down at around 09:00 as I drove down, but remained clear, breezy with some spells where the sun came out

Ground up on the hill was pretty firm, most likely due to wind and the ground up there more likely to soak it all up.
Given the amount of snow and rain we've had, the surroundings appeared to be fairly ok... not as wet as I thought it would be at all

The course looked amazing (as usual) up there :-)

Pic - https://ibb.co/mNeFiS

[giantchelsea]

Just come back from a walk up Cleeve hill..... it was hammering down at around 09:00 as I drove down, but remained clear, breezy with some spells where the sun came out

Ground up on the hill was pretty firm, most likely due to wind and the ground up there more likely to soak it all up.
Given the amount of snow and rain we've had, the surroundings appeared to be fairly ok... not as wet as I thought it would be at all

The course looked amazing (as usual) up there :-)

Pic - https://ibb.co/mNeFiS

That's a great picture mate, and it's probably the best place to watch the Cross Country to have any clue what was going on.

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Forecasts changed again to predict even more rain tonight and tomorrow

[Faugheen_Machine]

Half an inch predicted tonight. It looks like it'll be perfect ground on day one

[Nick1976]

Dull and overcast here in Cheltenham today. We had a bit of rain yesterday but nothing to worry about.
If I was a betting man (which I am) I would be backing 'Good To Soft' for day 1 of the festival.

[SAMCRO]

Dull and overcast here in Cheltenham today. We had a bit of rain yesterday but nothing to worry about.
If I was a betting man (which I am) I would be backing 'Good To Soft' for day 1 of the festival.

That taking into account the forecast rain Nick?

[Faugheen_Machine]

Dull and overcast here in Cheltenham today. We had a bit of rain yesterday but nothing to worry about.
If I was a betting man (which I am) I would be backing 'Good To Soft' for day 1 of the festival.

Thanks Nick - Keep the updates coming.

[donka]

Dull and overcast here in Cheltenham today. We had a bit of rain yesterday but nothing to worry about.
If I was a betting man (which I am) I would be backing 'Good To Soft' for day 1 of the festival.

I feel that may be a bit optimistic Nick. There's going to be heavy rain lashing down all afternoon & night. With periods of rain predicted for everyday bar one between now and Tuesday and the ground is already soft.
I think soft at the very best.

[Greasy]

I know people say Cheltenham is fast draining but I had no idea how fast. Last update on this about 3/4 of the course was soft now it's almost all Good to soft. Even if it buckets from now until sunday(which it may do) I wouldn't be surprised if it still comes up GtS. http://maps.turftrax.co.uk/latestgoi...rse=Cheltenham

[Scooby91]

I feel that may be a bit optimistic Nick. There's going to be heavy rain lashing down all afternoon & night. With periods of rain predicted for everyday bar one between now and Tuesday and the ground is already soft.
I think soft at the very best.

The racing post have over played it. It will be atleast gd to soft in places imo. If not the standard good to soft.

[archie]

I'm no groundsman but, as I understand it, drying out doesn't rely solely on soil absorbing moisture and evaporation has a part to play. Obviously the air temperature is a factor in this but the more grass there is, the larger the surface for evaporation. In winter there is little or no grass growth and lower temperatures inhibit evaporation. Double figure temperatures and the reported recent grass growth hint that the ground will dry out at a reasonable rate without taking into account further rain.
I'd say that Sunday's going report and weather forecast would be key in predicting Tuesday's ground and it's not worth getting into a lather until then.