WAITING GAME
Cheltenham New Year’s Day racing ON after the home of jumps passes 7.30am inspection
Good news for punters
CHELTENHAM'S big New Year's Day meeting is ON - after the home of jumps racing passed a 7.30am inspection.
Some of the track's infrastructure sustained 'superficial damage' after 50mph gusts battered the home of jumps.
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But the venue is deemed safe enough to welcome thousands of racegoers at the start of 2025.
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The seven-race card, which features the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle as the feature race of the day, is due off at 12.20pm.
It was hoped the wind will have died down by then but bosses took no chances and a precautionary inspection was held earlier this morning.
A statement posted on X confirmed racing had been given the thumbs up.
It read: "We are pleased to say that we have passed this morning's precautionary inspection and racing goes ahead.
"We were dry overnight, and the going remains good to soft.
"The forecast suggests wind speeds will reduce from 10.30am today ahead of gates opening at 10.30am.
"A number of our temporary facilities (including the Family Fun Zone) sustained superficial damage in the overnight winds, and our teams are working hard to ensure that they are safe and secure for racegoers to access today."
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Exeter's card will also go ahead while Tramore in Ireland, which features a whole host of big names in their feature Grade 3 chase, is also on despite getting 26mm of rain since yesterday morning.
Cheltenham's New Year's Day card is the penultimate meeting before March's Festival.
The popular Trials Day will be held on January 25 but then it's all systems go for the biggest week of racing all year, beginning on Tuesday, March 11.
Gary Moore will be happier than most that the New Year's Day meet goes ahead with his horse Salver being backed off the boards for the Relkeel.
The race also sees the return of Golden Ace, who memorably beat Brighterdaysahead in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Brighterdaysahead has gone on to become a superstar, twice defeating State Man, including this astonishing 31-length rout at Leopardstown over Christmas.
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