Cheltenham snow chaos as Day Two of racing festival hit by surprise weather
Snow is falling across Gloucestershire this morning ahead of day two of the Cheltenham Festival – with guests warned to “be careful” on their way to the tracks.
The Met Office had forecast sleet until 10am today, but locals living just minutes from the racecourse have flooded social media with images of flurries blanketing the area, sparking worries the surprise weather may impact today’s competition. One took to X, writing: “I live in Prestbury Cheltenham, just a few minutes away from the racecourse, and it’s only bloomin snowing!!!! They will need to get the equestrian equivalent of snow tyres on the horses.”
Conditions are far from ideal for racers or punters, with fears the track could turn to good-to-soft or even soft conditions, which will require more stamina from the horses.
According to latest forecasts, the snow is expected to ease at around 10am. In an update posted to X, the Met Office wrote: “Don’t be surprised if you see some wet snow in some of the showers today. A temporary slight covering is possible on the grass and cars, as seen recently here in Cheltenham.”
Gloucestershire highways meanwhile warned those travelling to today’s event to stay safe and keep warm. It said: “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.”
It comes after an earlier warning there would also be occasional rain showers at Cheltenham – particularly in the afternoon – possibly making the ground softer and more challenging for the horses. Reacting to this morning’s snow on social media, one racegoer said: “Just when you think you’ve seen it all… snow has now arrived at Cheltenham. Bright blue skies an hour ago, can’t see the back straight now.”
Another added: “Day 2 is already off to a blinder. Can just see Jonbon slipping over now and Nico building snowmen at the last fence.” A third said: “Merry Cheltenham. They just gave ‘Snow is Falling’ a blast on the public address system. Someone’s got a sense of humour.”
This year’s festival will run until Friday, March 14, 2025, with five to six races per day kicking off at around 1pm until 6pm.
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