Weather Watch 2026

[Pisto]

They’d be just as well leaving it to nature now with rain forecast surely

 

[opatcho]

I'd doubt it, I think they'll put down as much water as they can before the race

Will be interesting to see how much rain we get through the day, it may turn it back to Good to Soft, maybe some soft if we get a decent amount of rain? But they wont allow the first race to go off Good

 

[Kauto’s star]

Looks like they’ve gone conservative. 3/4mm selective watering to remain good to soft / good. Expecting 5-10mm later according to pullin. Shouldn’t get too soft at all

 

[Bunny Huzzard]

I think watering the ground was ridiculous with heavy rain forecast. I’ve seen it several time before - heavy rain on watered ground with a high water table at Cheltenham creates a muddy mess. If the rain comes as forecast Friday will be a bookies’ benefit.

 

[Kauto’s star]

I think watering the ground was ridiculous with heavy rain forecast. I’ve seen it several time before - heavy rain on watered ground with a high water table at Cheltenham creates a muddy mess. If the rain comes as forecast Friday will be a bookies’ benefit.

Pullin reckons 5-10mm, if they get that, it won’t be too soft, given they threw in 4mm and didn’t change the going from yesterday.

 

[Craigy14]

Definitely won’t go soft, ground is more than likely good all over on both courses, we all know it.

Look at how many front runners or handy horses won, next to nothing came from behind to win, odd places but up with the pace is where you want to be.

 

[somer1]

Showers get started here. Some have been very heavy! Touch blowy as well.

 

[Mighty]

Yeah it’s currently fast moving showers on and off. Doubt it will get into the ground before racing

 

[Big Bucks]

I fear we could see a few pulled, Fact to file "up in the air" according to Frank Berry

 

[opatcho]

who would have thought we'd say this a few weeks ago.. "WE NEED RAIN" lol

 

[darlojim]

I fear we could see a few pulled, Fact to file "up in the air" according to Frank Berry

wheres this been said?

 

[Big Bucks]

wheres this been said?

From racing post:

The Irish Gold Cup winner has drifted to evens (from 4-6) this morning, with the quick ground cited as a possible reason he might be declared a non-runner.
AP McCoy, speaking to TalkSport this morning, said: "I don't know if Fact To File is definitely running."
Meanwhile, JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry added: "I’m very worried about the ground, it’s up in the air at the moment."

 

[darlojim]

From racing post:

The Irish Gold Cup winner has drifted to evens (from 4-6) this morning, with the quick ground cited as a possible reason he might be declared a non-runner.
AP McCoy, speaking to TalkSport this morning, said: "I don't know if Fact To File is definitely running."
Meanwhile, JP McManus' racing manager Frank Berry added: "I’m very worried about the ground, it’s up in the air at the moment."

brutal.

 

[Prestbury]

It’s damp but no real rain. It was spitting heavily rather than real rain about 10 mins ago for a few mins but nothing major. It’s very windy though so likelihood that more showers will be coming over.

 

[jrjr]

I’m naturally cynical but my underlying feeling is if F2F was working really well (presumably like he was ahead of DRF when not many expected him to line up) he’d be running - no questions about anything.

The fact Jonbon was declared, along with IEP, whilst circumstantial evidence, does add up to question marks.

 

[Kevloaf]

Looks gross there now

 

[Ballyfitz]

Hopefully we are anticipating significantly softer ground tomorrow - but not sure how much impact one night of rain would realistically have? Just trying to anticipate any potential ground related non runners (especially with an eye on the 100/1 Spillanes Tower bets )…

 

[somer1]

Any thought on the going tomorrow? If it turns that bad would like some help finding a winner as i dont have a scooby.

 

[Kauto’s star]

Any thought on the going tomorrow? If it turns that bad would like some help finding a winner as i dont have a scooby.

I’d be interested in thoughts on going too. They’re expecting up to 10mm of rain. In my eyes that will make it soft, good to soft in places at worst

 

[robith]

I’m naturally cynical but my underlying feeling is if F2F was working really well (presumably like he was ahead of DRF when not many expected him to line up) he’d be running - no questions about anything.

The fact Jonbon was declared, along with IEP, whilst circumstantial evidence, does add up to question marks.

It really felt like a retaliation for not putting him into the gold cup