No more watering at Cheltenham

CHELTENHAM clerk of the course Simon Claisse has no further plans to water the track ahead of next week’s Festival.

Prestbury Park was hit by 11 millimetres of rain on Tuesday and, having assessed the current conditions and the forecast for the rest of the week, Claisse feels there is no need to turn on the taps.

“We had 11mm and with conditions as they are, we will not be watering the course any further,” said Claisse.

“There are few showers around over the next couple of days which may give us a few millimetres more.

“Friday and Saturday are both set to be dry days, but there could possibly be some further rain Sunday.

“It could be showery next week, but I am very happy with where we are at this stage.”

The going on the Old Course, which is used on Tuesday and Wednesday of the Festival, is currently described as good to soft. Conditions on the New Course are good to soft, soft in places.

The cross-country course is even slower and is described as soft, heavy in places.

Meanwhile Malcolm Jefferson has warned that Cape Tribulation might miss Cheltenham if the going is too fast.

The five-year-old staked a big claim for Festival honours with an impressive victory at Doncaster in January.

He holds entries in the two staying novice hurdles – the Ballymore Properties and the Albert Bartlett – for which he is 16-1 and 6-1 respectively.

Jefferson would like David Abell’s gelding to take his chance in one of those races, ground permitting.

“Everything’s on course for next week and the horse is as happy as Larry,” said the Malton trainer.

“The main work has been done now and we’ll just keep him ticking over.

“As long as it’s good, safe jumping ground, that’ll be all right for me.

“If it does come up too quick, though, he might not even run.”