Storm Claudia Threatening Day 2 Of Cheltenham Meeting

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


Strong winds and persistent 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 projection, officials will examine the track at 7.30 am before the second afternoon of action.


"We've had 12mm of rain through the day to add to the 7mm overnight and as we've been racing this afternoon we've opened up the track," clerk of the course Jon Pullin informed Racing TV.


"We have actually still got more rain to come, possibly till midnight and we could see some heavy spells in the next number of hours. Having opened it up it makes sense to have an appearance in the morning.


"The projection is saying it must be drying up from 1am and we do know that once this track gets a little bit of a window without any rain it does begin to drain and ideally that will be the case.


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


"This is preventive, we've raced today and we do have that dry window. I 'd be hopeful we'll be OK for tomorrow. We'll do everything we can to decide as early as we can."


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


Clerk of the course Paddy Graffin, stated: "Since our ground update at 7.30 am this early morning, 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 caution from Met Eireann in place for County Meath which goes 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 preventive step due to the projection but the track is presently suitabled for racing and the most recent upgrade from Met Eireann suggests we might get roughly a more 10-15mm of rain in the area."