Cheltenham racegoers have been warned to wrap up and bring a brolly this week – with chilly temperatures and rain showers set to cool eager track punters. And for Gold Cup Friday, bookies will eagerly be looking at the conditions for the big money race at the Prestbury Park ground with our new maps from WXCharts.com revealing the day starts with -1C (30.2F).
The Met Office warn on Friday although the temperature may peak at 8C, the icy winds mean it will feel more like just 6C (42.8F) – so plenty of layers will be needed. On Friday the forecaster also warns that racegoers have a 50 per cent chance of a soaking from showers sweeping across the south west of England.
Bookmakers Paddy Power confirmed: “If you’re heading to Prestbury Park then it’s better to be in the know so you’ll be in the right clothing and can decide whether to leave the brolly at home.”
Champion Day Tuesday, the start of the four-day horseracing festival, began with a frosty -3C temperatures which are set to only peak in the afternoon at around 7C (44.6F).
The afternoon will bring some relief, with a mix of sunshine and cloudy spells, but temperatures will remain cool so wrap up warm!
On Style Wednesday, the weather takes a turn for the worse with strong winds from the northeast, gusting up to 25mph, which will make the 8C conditions feel more like 5C (41F).
There will be occasional rain showers – so umbrellas will be needed – especially in the afternoon, making the ground softer and more challenging for the horses.
The track could turn to good-to-soft or even soft conditions, which require more stamina from the horses.
On St Patrick’s Thursday, more unsettled weather will dominate the racecourse with cold temperatures and highs of just around 8C (46.4F), and a chilly breeze throughout the day.
Rain showers are expected, with wintry showers possible over higher ground, though it is likely to be rain at the track itself.
The wet conditions will soften the ground even further, potentially leading to heavy and slippery conditions. The cold and wet weather could challenge both the horses and racegoers, so be sure to dress warmly.
Then on Gold Cup Day Friday, conditions will be slightly calmer but it could still be a cold and occasionally wet day, so an umbrella should never be far away.
Winds will ease, but temperatures will remain low, with a maximum of 8C. While the chances of rain are lower, there’s still a risk of light showers throughout the day, particularly in the afternoon.