Cheltenham New Year’s Day racing could be OFF with part of racecourse closed amid 50mph gusts as inspection called
CHELTENHAM’S big New Year’s Day meeting is under serious threat – as bosses announced an inspection will be held in the morning.
Part of the racecourse will be closed with 50mph gusts set to batter the home of jumps racing.
The seven-race card, which features the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle as the feature race of the day, is due off at 12.20pm.
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It is hoped the wind will have died down by then but bosses are taking no chances and a precautionary inspection will be held at 7.30am.
A statement read: “We have been monitoring conditions and the weather forecast closely ahead of tomorrow’s New Year’s Day racing.
“We will hold a precautionary inspection at 7.30am tomorrow.
“The going on the New Course is currently good to soft.
“The current forecast is for wind speeds to reach 50mph throughout the early hours of the morning and to reduce at 10am to a manageable level.
“However, due to gusts potentially peaking at 50mph today (Tuesday), we have taken the decision to close the Shopping Village as our trade stands are unable to access the facility to set up.
“There will no longer be live music in the Guinness Village but will remain in other locations around the racecourse.
“While we understand this may be disappointing for our racegoers, the safety of everyone on site is our priority.
“The latest forecast has a positive outlook for racing, but the safety of our participants, racegoers and teams on site is always our number one priority.”
The New Year’s Day card is the penultimate meeting before March’s Festival.
The popular Trials Day will be held on January 25 but then it’s all systems go for the biggest week of racing all year, beginning on Tuesday, March 11.
Gary Moore will be hoping the New Year’s Day meet goes ahead with his horse Salver being backed for the Relkeel.
The race also sees the return of Golden Ace, who memorably beat Brighterdaysahead in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Brighterdaysahead has gone on to become a superstar, twice defeating State Man, including this astonishing 31-length rout at Leopardstown over Christmas.
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