Storm Claudia Threatening Day 2 Of Cheltenham Meeting

A preventive evaluation will be held at Cheltenham tomorrow early morning ahead of the scheduled seven-race Paddy Power Gold Cup card.


Strong winds and consistent rain leading produced by Storm Claudia as much as 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 grass.


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


"We've had 12mm of rain through the day to contribute to the 7mm over night and as we've 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, possibly up until midnight and we might see some heavy spells in the next couple of hours. Having opened it up it makes sense to have an appearance in the early morning.


"The forecast is saying it ought to be drying up from 1am and we do understand that when this track gets a little a window without any rain it does start to drain and ideally that will hold true.


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


"This is preventive, we have actually 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 rain warning from Met Eireann.


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


"The ground presently remains soft to heavy, however, due to the Status Yellow rain caution from Met in place for County Meath which runs through to the early hours of tomorrow early morning, we will hold a precautionary evaluation at 7.30 am ahead of racing.


"This is a precautionary step due to the forecast but the track is presently fit for racing and the current update from Met Eireann recommends we might get approximately an additional 10-15mm of rain in the location."