There are always surprises on the course at the Cheltenham Festival, but the weather has proved the biggest shock so far as snow settles at Prestbury Park.
After some lovely weather over the last couple of weeks in England, which made it feel like winter had finally come to an end, things have changed dramatically.
Temperatures dropped on Tuesday and winter appears to be very much back in business as the snow falls in Cheltenham.
The racing is expected to go ahead as planned despite the surprising conditions, but fans have been urged to be careful and dress appropriately.
The official X account for Gloucestershire Highways posted: ‘We appear to have some snow this morning!
‘If you’re heading out please be careful and if you’re off to Cheltenham Festival wrap up warm.’
The snow is expected to turn to sleet and, although some has settled early, not remain for long.
Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin provided a going update just before 9am on Wednesday, saying: ‘Good morning and welcome to day two of the festival here at Cheltenham. A wintry scene, as you can see.
‘We had some fantastic races yesterday, lots of excitement and looking forward to very much the same here today.
‘As you can see we’ve had a covering of snow this morning, but it is turning to sleet as forecast and should hopefully disappear within the next hour or so.
‘So the going for today remains good to soft on the old course. Good to soft, good in places and soft on the top loop on the cross country course.
‘We’ve got seven races today, starting at 1.20pm, with the first six races shown live on ITV. With the feature race today the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase.’
