CHELTENHAM’S massive New Year’s Day racing has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track after heavy rainfall.
The racing was already in jeopardy yesterday as the weather took a turn – with an icy blast of sleet and snow also set to hit the home of jumps racing.
An inspection of the course was due to take place this morning at 8.30am.
But the decision to cancel Friday’s meet was brought forward after it was clear parts of the famed course were unraceable.
A tweet from Cheltenham racecourse’s official account read: “New Year’s Day Racing abandoned.
“Following 85mm of rainfall since last Wednesday, there are areas of waterlogged ground across the width of the course and it is therefore not raceable.”
Clerk of the course Simon Claisse said: “It’s disappointing but we weren’t seeing any improvement after the volume of rain we’ve received.
“There are two parts of the course – coming down the hill and at the second-last fence – where there’s no way round [the waterlogged areas].”
Cheltenham’s next scheduled meet is the Festival Trials day on January 30.
While at the moment it looks unlikely fans will be able to attend that event, Claisse added he is ‘very optimistic’ everything will be in place for the racing to go ahead as normal.
However, a number of racing followers were critical of the decision to call off the card 48 hours ahead of Friday.
One fumed: “Two dry days to get it fit, if crowds were allowed in they wouldn’t abandon it they’d get it on. Ridiculous decision.”
Another said: “2021 starting where 2020 left off.”
While one comment read: “Poor from Cheltenham races.”
Away from Cheltenham, Exeter and Musselburgh also have meets on Friday and officials are monitoring their situations closely due to the threat of snow and frost.
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