Cheltenham Festival race ABANDONED and race times changed with parts of the track ‘unraceable’
A CHELTENHAM Festival race has been abandoned with parts of the track ‘unraceable’ after a deluge of rain.
Today’s big Cross Country Chase has been scrapped altogether following a track inspection.
SportsfileDelta Work was favourite for the Cross Country – but the race has now been abandoned[/caption]
The hope was to run the race on Friday if conditions had not improved by this morning.
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But The Jockey Club have made the decision to scrap the race altogether, with the weather unlikely to improve.
The knock-on effect of that decision means changes to the times of four races, with the first kicking off 15 minutes later than planned.
A statement read: “Following 11mm of rainfall throughout yesterday, there has been no improvement in the conditions on the Cross-Country course and with areas of the track unraceable, the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase has sadly been abandoned.
“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.
“As a result of the abandonment of the 5th race today, the revised race times for Wednesday 13th March are as follows:
“Race 1: 1345, Race 2: 1430, Race 3: 1515, Race 4: 1600, Race 5: NA, Race 6: 1650, Race 7: 1730.
“The Going on the Old & New course is Soft, Heavy in Places.”
Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work had shot to the head of the Cross Country betting with the ground sodden at Cheltenham.
His defending champion, who was around 2-1, was due to take on former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo.
Rachael Blackmore, who banged in the first winner on day one, had been due to ride Indo, who had long been the ante-post favourite.
Elliott, who loves this race, was also set to saddle second-fav Coko Beach, while Willie Mullins, who looks set to bash bookies all over again, was planning to run Stattler.
The Cross Country Chase is run over a different track to the Old and New courses.
It is in the middle of the traditional courses and features the famous banks and ‘cheese wedge’ jumps.
Past winners of the race include two-time Grand National hero Tiger Roll – who won the Cross Country three times for owner and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary – and Balthazar King.
More to follow.
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