Snow hit the Cheltenham Festival before day two of racing, with the adverse weather conditions having impacted conditions at the Cheltenham Racecourse. Punters had woken up to bright blue skies in Gloucestershire on Wednesday morning, only for the weather to take a frosty turn later in the morning.
An update from the Met Office read: “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.” A warning from Gloucestershire highways team also 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.”
Following the sunny conditions on day one, a drop in the temperature had been expected for Wednesday’s action. Not many were expecting snow, though, with suggestions that visibility on the back straight had been impacted by the storm.
It comes after a dramatic opening day of action at the Festival, with both Constitution Hill and State Man falling in the Champion Hurdle. Speaking to ITV after the race, trainer Willie Mullins confirmed the two horses were both doing fine.
He said: “He was just too long and caught the top of it, like Annie Power. To have two champions falling in a Champion Hurdle is extraordinary. I’m glad all the horses and riders are safe. We’ve had last fence and hurdle fallers here before so we’re used to it. What can we say?”
Mullins later told Racing TV: “State Man is fine to travel home. I think he got a few kicks in the head when he was down, so he’s going to be sore in the morning, but the vets say he’s fine to travel home this evening, which is great news.”
In the first race of the day, horse owner Charlie McCarthy had burst into tears before and after watching Kopek Des Bordes clinch victory in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’. Speaking after the win, McCarthy told ITV: “[I was] nervous, naturally, but look – he’s a superb horse. He’s something special. It’s something I’ve dreamt about all my life – and my boys did. He’s a decent horse – win, lose or draw, we’ll celebrate it.”
The Irishman, who had been suffering with a health condition, added: “I had my right kidney removed – cancerous – on the 26th of February. But he (Kopek Des Bordes) kept me going.” McCarthy wiped a tear away from his eyes, before continuing: “Sorry. He kept me going through all of it.”
Full Day One results from the Cheltenham Festival:
1.20pm: Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ (WINNER: KOPEK DES BORDES)
2pm: My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (WINNER: JANGO BAIE)
2.40pm: Ultima Handicap Chase (WINNER: MYRETOWN)
3.20pm: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (WINNER: LOSSIEMOUTH)
4pm: Unibet Champion Hurdle (WINNER: GOLDEN ACE)
4.40pm: Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (WINNER: PUTURHANDSTOGETHER)
5.20pm: National Hunt Novices’ Chase (WINNER: HAITI COULEURS)
Full Day Two schedule:
1.20pm: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2.00pm: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2.40pm: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
3.20pm: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Limited Handicap)
4.00pm: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
4.40pm: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
5.20pm: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)
