Claisse unfazed by Baltic blast

Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse is satisfied the Festival can go ahead without a hitch, despite a freezing cold Monday in the Cotswolds.

The Old Course (used for the first two days of the meeting), the New Course (for the second half) and vulnerable areas of the Cross Country track are under 65 acres-worth of black frost covers.

It snowed briefly on occasions during yesterday’s bitter cold and the blankets will not be removed until as late as possible.