Watering commences at Cheltenham due to uncertainty over forecast rain

Watering commenced at Cheltenham on Tuesday evening with officials facing uncertainty about the amount of rain that was due to arrive before the second day of the festival.

The going was officially good to soft for the first day of the festival, although riders reported the ground to be riding closer to good while Constitution Hill lowered the course record for 2m½f on the Old course when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin, who is overseeing his first Cheltenham Festival, had initially suggested no watering would take place but gave the go-ahead for it to start with forecasts predicting a low of 2mm of rain overnight and a maximum of 7mm.

“People have been very happy with the ground today, but it’s quickened through the afternoon and without the certainty of rain tomorrow and having spoken to jockeys, I feel the right to do thing to do is to put some water on tonight,” Pullin said.

“I can’t say precisely where we will water, but I’d describe the ground now as good, good to soft in places’ and we’ll certainly be watering down the hill and up the finishing straight.”

Trainer Gordon Elliott went without a winner on Tuesday and reported that Floueur, beaten favourite for the Ultima Handicap Chase, and Teahupoo, last in the Champion Hurdle, would have preferred slower ground, while Mighty Potter, who was pulled up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, was “out of his comfort zone.”

Speaking after Queens Brook finished second in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, Elliott added: “She’s run a very good race. Jack [Kennedy, rider] said softer ground would’ve suited her better, but the winner’s won well. No excuses.

“The ground could’ve been a bit better for a few of them but it’s no real excuse and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Wednesday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: 'It is ours to lose' – can anything stop the might of Sir Gerhard in Ballymore?

2.10 Cheltenham: star novices Bravemansgame, L'Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor clash in thriller

2.50 Cheltenham: can The Shunter land the Coral Cup after switching back to hurdles?

3.30 Cheltenham: 'This is going to be the biggest test of Shishkin's life' says Nicky Henderson

4.10 Cheltenham: Tiger Roll bids to bow out on a high back where it all began

4.50 Cheltenham: can Andy Dufresne unlock sky-high potential for Gordon Elliott in Grand Annual?

5.30 Cheltenham: who will be crowned the bumper king? Facile Vega and American Mike face off

New Paddy Power customers who sign up here and bet £10 on the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (1.30 Cheltenham, Wednesday) will get a £10 free bet for every other race on the day, that's £60 in free bets. Only deposits with cards apply (Apple pay deposits are excluded). View full T&Cs here.