Cheltenham Festival Going

edgt said:
Best left to nature.
Too cold for growth and a risk of rain next week.
Proper drying only takes place when there is growth.
Click to expand...

Spot on. Claisse admits that while they've managed to put some fertiliser down recently, it's of no benefit in the current conditions. There is natural rainfall forecast for next Thursday, and until that changes, the "rain gun" will be largely redundant (taps were actually on today to test the system).
 
Press release by the racecourse re going and a few other issues

Cheltenham Racecourse is being readied for The Festival, which lasts for four
thrilling days between Tuesday, March 12 and Friday, March 15.
Ian Renton, the Regional Director of Jockey Club Racecourses, said today at a
media event at the racecourse: “I am delighted to be here with the 2013 Festival less
than a fortnight away, witnessing the anticipation which builds every day, and very
lucky to have a fantastic team around me who will deliver the best possible
experience for all our racegoers.
“Regarding ticket sales this year, we have reduced capacity on Gold Cup Day to a
maximum of 67,000 people and, as a result, we are almost sold out for the day. The
Best Mate Enclosure sold out a while ago, the Tattersalls Enclosure earlier his week
and we anticipate the last few badges for the Club Enclosure will be sold by this time
next week.
“Ticket sales for the first three days are ahead of last year’s level, which is a great
indication of the continuing popularity of this tremendous event. There will still be
tickets available on the day for all enclosures at the entrances over the first three
days.
“Hospitality sales continue to be very strong and many of the facilities over the four
days are already sold out but we have got some restaurant space available.
“We have not made massive changes from last year. When I came here four months
ago, I recognised that the event we have got is fantastic - a wonderfully successful
four days of racing in March - and therefore it did not need radical change.
“People who come here in March remember what the participants do, the horses,
riders, trainers and owners, rather than what I and the team do.
“There will be a few minor changes this year, hopefully adding to the experience of
racegoers.
“We have been working closely with Jockey Club Catering to improve three of the
facilities in the main grandstand including the Tommy Atkins bar, while there will be
more toilets in the Best Mate Enclosure and the tented village.
“We are improving ticket collection as well as trying to reduce the impact of ticket
touts, moving them back to ensure they are not the overpowering presence they
have been in the past - we are working very closely with the police on this.”
Simon Claisse, Head of Racing, South West Region & Clerk of the Course, reported
that his groundstaff were able to get on the track with light machinery last week for
the first time October and all the courses have had aeration treatment, with fertiliser
also applied.
The going is currently soft, good to soft in places and drying out slowly. Without any
rain, the going description will change in five or six days to good to soft, soft in
places.
Temperatures are set to rise next week, climbing to be between 9C and 12C, while
rainfall is forecast between Thursday, March 7 and the start of The Festival on
Tuesday, March 12, with between 15 and 18 millimetres due to fall.
He said: “If the rainfall materialises as forecast, then The Festival is likely to start
with soft ground. If so, there is a good chance we will get through the four days
without having to do any watering.
“Because the weather has been so wet this season, tiny amounts of rain have been
making a difference.
“The ground used at The Festival has not been raced on since March of last year so
it is fresh ground. On the New Course, which we switch to on the Thursday of the
Festival, there is fresh ground then for the chases and again on the Friday for the
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“The hurdles are the nearest to the stands that we have them during the whole year.
All the fences are in place except for second last on the Old Course and the fourth
last on the New Course which are both portable obstacles.”
Claisse is encouraged by the 15 race entries for The Festival made for Frenchtrained
horses this year and looking forward to welcoming raiders from across the
Channel.
Following the fall of Wishfull Thinking on the first circuit in last year’s Sportingbet
Queen Mother Champion Chase, the final fence was dolled off and not jumped.
Wishfull Thinking and his rider Richard Johnson went over the fence to the left and
through the running rail.
There is a now a new layout at that fence, with the running rail moved back so that if
a horse went left-handed again over the obstacle, they would not collide with
photographers or the crowd.
Also, there will be more directional boards should a fence need to be by-passed.
Kauto Star, the two-time Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner who is now retired,
will lead the parade before this year’s renewal of the chasing championship on
Friday, March 15.
TurfTrax sectional timing is being introduced at The Festival for the first time this​
year.
 
Thanks Geezer, that's helpful.

On a separate point, I wasn't going to bother buying any tickets in advance this year after being made to queue for more than 20 minutes to collect them last year but after reading that I think I should change my mind for Gold Cup day.
 
Tweet from the local BBC weather presenter

Albeit milder this week, a return to cold conditions (poss significantly below seasonal average temps) expected after next weekend

Once established by circa Mon 11th, the colder, wintry outlook extends on into mid-March, with some snow likely in N & central UK.


Bring your long johns :ninja:
 
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Today's racecourse press release

FOLLOWING another drying day Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse was set to drop the "soft in places" from the going description for the hurdles and chases on both tracks.

Claisse was set to change the going to "good to soft" on both the New Course and the Old Course, although the cross-country course remains "good to soft, soft in places".

He said: "It dried out a little yesterday afternoon and things are quite different today, as it has been relatively warm and breezy compared to what it has been."

Looking ahead, he added: "The forecast remains as it was last week, with bits and pieces of rain forecast from Wednesday until Tuesday amounting to a total of around 15mm."
 
Things are looking a touch more unsettled over the weekend than they did previously.

Today 13C sunny and dry
Tomorrow becoming more overcast 3mm of rain with a max of 9C
Thursday drier with very little rain if any
Friday and Saturday into Sunday morning are very wet days with 30mm of rain forecast over the two days.

It then looks like being dry and cold as we move into next week.
 
If you're planning to come by car and intend trying to park near the racecourse (bugger paying £10 a day to park there !) there are various traffic orders in place next week.

No waiting 10:00am to 7:00pm (Parking permit holders exempt)

Albert Road
Both Sides
For its entire length

Evesham Road (A435)
Both Sides
From its junction with Clarence Road to its junction with Hyde Lane/Southam Lane
Hill Court Road
Both Sides
For is entire Length

New Barn Lane
Both Sides
From its junction with Evesham Road to its junction with New Barn Avenue

Southam Lane
Both Sides
From its junction with A435 Evesham Road to its junction with Old Road Southam

Swindon Lane
Both Sides
For its entire length
 
i guess in a season where pretty much all the form has been on very testing ground it's only fitting the festival is ran in the same conditions.

how cold do we think it has to get for the unthinkable to happen? :blink:
 
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