Cheltenham racecourse has been investigating the big hole that appeared down the home straight during Festival Trials Day and have said it’s ‘most likely’ a broken drain. Meanwhile the wet weather forces some courses to cancel their upcoming fixtures, while Saturday’s entries at Sandown catch the eye. Check out Tuesday’s racing round-up.
Broken drain ‘most likely’ cause of Cheltenham hole
Cheltenham racecourse were nearly forced to cancel the final race of their Festival Trials Day card on Saturday after a big hole was found in the turf up the home straight. Minutes before the AIS Novices’ Hurdle was supposed to be run, a big hole was found and officials, trainers and jockeys had to assess the situation. Having bypassed the problem area and moved the rail the final race took place, but since Saturday’s findings Cheltenham have started their investigations and have said the likely cause is a broken drain. (Racing Post)
Storm Chandra forces meetings to be abandoned
Storm Chandra is thrashing into the UK & Ireland and the wet weather is playing havoc with some of the horse racing fixtures set to take place over the coming days. Limerick’s National Hunt card has already been forced to abandon today’s card after it failed an inspection, whilst Newcastle are inspecting for their Tuesday meeting at 10.30am. Leicester were set to host a jumps card on Wednesday, but that has already been called off due to waterlogging. (Racing Post)
Kitzbuhel & Steel Ally top nine entries for Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase
Kauto Star Novices’ Chase winner Kitzbuhel is set to return to British shores again on Saturday afternoon and the Willie Mullins-trained star is one of nine entries received for the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. One of the leading trials for the Arkle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, the 2026 renewal will attract some smart performers with the likes of Steel Ally, Kala Conti and Jimmy Du Seuil all entered for the event. (Sporting Life)
Windsor winner Potters Charm set for National Spirit at Fontwell
Potters Charm, who beat Nemean Lion at Windsor a couple of weeks ago, is set to next be seen in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell park in a few weeks. Likely to miss the Cheltenham Festival in March, joint-trainer Willy Twiston-Davies has suggested that he’s likely to head to Fontwell and then miss Cheltenham in favour of Aintree in April. Twiston-Davies said: “He’s come out of Windsor really well, a lot of his owners have been on holiday so we’ve not made any decisions just yet, but at the moment we would be thinking to go to the National Spirit and then to Aintree.” “We’ll keep the entry there for the Stayers’ Hurdle and look at Cheltenham, but at the moment I think Fontwell and then Aintree looks the obvious thing to do.” (At The Races)