Cheltenham is known for ground drying out quickly however the dire weather could yet prevail.
The Beast from the East is over but after affects are apparent to see at Cheltenham Racecourse - with around 200 tons of snow needing manually removed from the course.
That’s lead to odds being slashed on heavy ground at Cheltenham Festival, which was a rank outside shot of 20/1 just before the severe weather hit the country.
Following the reported polar vortex and snowfall throughout the country, that’s been slashed to just 7/1 and is trending to go even shorter.
Simon Claisse, clerk of the course, confirmed that the word ‘heavy’ could feature in the official going for the first day replying: “It’s possible, yes.”
Claisse informed the media that there were between four and six feet of snow in places around the course and that a team of 40 to 50 extra workers were helping to chip in.
Good to soft is favourite at 5/6, followed by soft at 11/10 and the aforementioned heavy at 7/1. Good is around the 40/1 mark and lastly food to firm or firm comes in at a massive 200/1.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: “Good to soft is the usual going on the first day of the Festival but the severe weather conditions mean that heavy ground is now a real possibility.
“Punters aren't missing a trick either, filling in the 14/1 No Run No Bet on Samcro for the Supreme over the weekend - a race the chaser may go if the conditions are testing.'
