Cheltenham: Cross Country Chase called off
Bosses say it's due to a waterlogged track
The bad weather has put paid to one of the races at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday (March 13th).
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase, which was due to be the fifth race of the day, was called off after heavy rain fell onto the already waterlogged course overnight.
In a statement, Racecourse bosses said that 11mm of rainfall throughout yesterday had rendered it unusable.
They added:
"The forecast for the remainder of the week continues to look unsettled, with further showers likely on both Thursday and Friday.
"There will therefore be insufficient improvement to the Cross-Country course by Friday 15th March, and the decision has been taken not to reschedule the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at The Festival."
It means the card has been reduced to six races on Wednesday, and 27 for the Festival as a whole.
Today's race times have been modified as a result.
They are now:
• Race 1: 1345
• Race 2: 1430
• Race 3: 1515
• Race 4: 1600
• Race 5: NA
• Race 6: 1650
• Race 7: 1730