Climate crisis gave Cheltenham a major headache – and more pain is coming

There is little the track’s bosses could have done to prevent the chaos on and off the track this weekend Even after two days of racing afflicted by dozens of non-runners due to the fast ground, the elements still had not quite finished with Cheltenham on Sunday, when the third d

There is little the track’s bosses could have done to prevent the chaos on and off the track this weekend Even after two days of racing afflicted by dozens of non-runners due to the fast ground, the elements still had not quite finished with Cheltenham on Sunday, when the third day of the track’s November meeting went ahead only after a late inspection – to assess standing water on the course after several hours of rain. A crowd of more than 10,000 racegoers, swelled by a big contingent of students from the specialist racing events organiser INVADES, had largely assembled when the inspection was announced, and while the course was passed fit for racing 15 minutes later, it was another uncomfortable moment for all concerned at the end of a tricky three days in the west country. Continue reading...