Claisse on Cheltenham weather watch

Cheltenham’s clerk of the course Simon Claisse is on guard against further rain with the track shaping up nicely ahead of the Festival in just under two weeks.

Like the rest of Britain, Prestbury Park was hit by the foul weather over the last month or so but was bathed in glorious spring sunshine yesterday.

“Over the last 10 days we’ve not had a great deal of rain,” said Claisse. “It’s looking in great order, particularly the seven to nine yards we save all year for the Festival.