Storm Claudia Threatening Day 2 Of Cheltenham Meeting

A precautionary evaluation will be held at Cheltenham tomorrow morning ahead of the set up seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card.


Strong winds and persistent rain leading produced by Storm Claudia up to the Friday of the two-day meeting continued throughout the afternoon, as conditions at the track were inevitably worsened by a day's racing on the Prestbury Park turf.


With more rain projection, authorities will examine the track at 7.30 am before the planned second afternoon of action.


"We've had 12mm of rain through the day to contribute to the 7mm over night and as we have actually been racing this afternoon we have actually opened the track," clerk of the course Jon Pullin told Racing TV.


"We have actually still got additional rain to come, perhaps till midnight and we might see some heavy spells in the next number of hours. Having opened it up it makes good sense to take a look in the early morning.


"The forecast is stating it needs to be drying up from 1am and we do understand that as soon as this track gets a bit of a window without any rain it does start to drain and ideally that will be the case.


Racegoers in rainy conditions during Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse. Forecasters have provided an amber caution for rain as Storm Claudia, which was called by the Spanish meteorological service, brings heavy downpours and strong winds for much of the nation. throughout Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse. Picture date: Friday November 14, 2025.


"This is precautionary, we've raced today and we do have that dry window. I 'd be enthusiastic we'll be OK for tomorrow. We'll do everything we can to make a choice as early as we can."


Navan, due to stage the Fortria Chase and with it the reappearance of Marine National, will also check at the exact same time due to a Status Yellow from Met Eireann.


Clerk of the course Paddy Graffin, said: "Since our ground update at 7.30 am today, there has actually been a more 6mm of rain at Navan.


"The ground currently stays soft to heavy, however, due to the Status Yellow rain warning from Met Eireann in location for County Meath which goes through to the early hours of tomorrow morning, we will hold a precautionary evaluation at 7.30 am ahead of racing.


"This is a precautionary measure due to the forecast however the track is presently fit for racing and the newest update from Met Eireann recommends we could get around a further 10-15mm of rain in the location."