Softest start for 20 years

SIMON CLAISSE, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, believes the going on the Festival’s opening day will be the softest for 20 years.

But he dismissed fears the meeting might be abandoned.

“There is absolutely no danger whatsoever of an inspection,” said Claisse, right.

“We’re OK. The track has taken the rain better than I anticipated and there isn’t much standing water around.

“We had a fairly intense period of rainfall between six and seven o’clock last night and again early doors this morning. Further rain is forecast through the day so we’re not anticipating seeing much change.”

Claisse has experienced a demanding couple of weeks with his team to have the track ready for the meeting – labelled the Olympics of jump racing. More than 500 tonnes of snow have now been cleared from the track and public areas. Over £300million is set to be bet across the betting industry at the Festival, making it the biggest punting week of the entire year, while a staggering £35,000 a second will be bet over the four days. Several horses that appreciate heavy ground were being backed yesterday in the Ultima Chase, while others were drifting. These are the latest movers: Vintage Clouds 8-1 (from 10) with Ladbrokes; Gold Present 9-1 (from 6) with Sky Bet; Ramses De Teillee 10-1 (from 14) with bet365; Cogry 16-1 (from 20) with Ladbrokes.

Away from the betting ring, racegoers knocked back 265,000 pints of Guinness at last year’s Festival.

And Ladbrokes go odds-on (4-6) that even more pints of the Irish stout will be downed this week.

Some will be celebrating, but many more will, no doubt, be drowning their sorrows by the end of the week.