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Weather Watch 2026

They’re putting in some swift furlongs, but the Pertempts looked a bit of a burn up. In the Guiness grandstand - light showers dusting the course - I’d be surprised if it wasn’t still soft tbh.
 
Hurricane fly said:
ITV saying the first race ran soft towards the side of good!


Anyone know how the second looked?
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They're only saying what Simon Rowlands has tweeted. He's yet to confirm anything on the Pertemps but we'll probably here more from here as the day progresses.
 
Mighty said:
Banbridge hated the ground in the Ryanair…
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He certainly did. Looks like he's a real spring good ground horse. but he's 8, in his prime and after missing last year, he had to go for it.
 
Does anyone have a weather report who’s down there please?
 
Right by the course. Some heavy showers on and off all evening. Not steady, but blowing through. Should be soft/heavy in places I’d think. Certainly looked it in the Kim Muir.
 
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Looked like it rained toward the end of the last race, definitely after the racing

Need to take a close look at this tomorrow, I know the Gold Cup is normally on fresher ground but if it’s dead/testing then I may take a look at a native river type for this one
 
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Thanks for the replies fellows. Appreciated.
 
Thought I'd resurrect this old favourite topic.

OK, it's still 3 weeks today, but this time next week, it will only be a fortnight.

Seems Cheltenham has a wet few days ahead. What's the last week been like for anyone locally based?
 
I’ll be fishing about 15 miles away as usual for week or so before, so can update this daily if nobody more local

Assuming water table not as high this year after less wet winter? Ground may depend on how much they water & then if weather changes close to festival
 
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Punchestown off now today following more heavy rain, we've had a good lot of rain this last week in Ireland and a similar unsettled forecast over the next week.

Our weather is not too different to that the Cheltenham area gets. All I can see is sunshine but regular showers forecast for the area there.

Keeping this thread live so any locals can contribute.

Yea, very dull old men's club alright.
 
Met Office long range forecasts for those interested:

25 Feb - 6 March
Conditions through this period are somewhat uncertain, and the detail especially so, but it is more likely than not that a mainly westerly regime will dominate the UK's weather. It is therefore likely that further spells of mild, wet and windy weather affect the UK at times, interspersed with colder, showery conditions with a risk of some snow in the north, mainly over higher ground. However, there is also a chance that drier, more settled conditions develop at times, especially towards the south or southeast of the UK. Temperatures are likely to be close to or a little above average overall, although with a risk of overnight frost in between frontal systems or in association with any drier spells.

7 March - 21 March
Much of this period looks like being mainly unsettled, with Atlantic frontal systems moving east across the UK. These will bring spells of mild, wet and windy weather at times, interspersed with colder, brighter but probably showery conditions, with a risk of snow over higher ground in the north. However, it may become a little drier and more settled towards the south or southeast after mid-month, with the wettest and windiest weather possibly becoming more confined towards the northwest. Temperatures are likely to be a little above average overall, although overnight frost is possible at times where skies are clear and winds light enough.

Prediction: Soft Ground Day 1 :angel:
 
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We had plenty of rain last night. Have just been for a walk around the outside of the course and it is very muddy - especially at the top of the course. It has not been quite as wet as last year (which was pretty awful to be honest) but we have not gone any length of time since the turn of the year without any rain - I can't recall seeing any watering in the last couple of months. Its a lovely sunny day today and there is not much rain in the forecast throughout the rest of this week / beginning of next although the forecasts are rather changeable here.
 
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Carnage at Taunton said:
Clerk describes current course conditions today as soft.
No surprise but I guess one could look at forecasts over next couple of weeks and get a rough idea?
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That's great news, because it's natural soft, it's when they have to irrigate it gets messy.
If anyone has ever seen the antiquated method and equipment they have for watering you'll know why we need mother nature to determine the going, I've seen water from that hosepipe getting blown by the wind so only a fraction of the area gets it, it wouldn't be impossible for the variance in going across the track at various points to be soft and good to firm...
 
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