Incredible as it may seem if the current dry spell keeps up then Cheltenham will start watering a week today. It has been the stated aim of the the racecourse to ensure good jumping groung ie good to soft, since 2006 when sadly 11 horses were killed. The idea is to reduce injuries from horses falling when travelling at high speed on fast going.
But watering can lead to false ground which can also be very dangerous. Surely, after all the recent rain and snow nature should be left to take its course?
Simon Claisse confirms: “We could be moving towards good ground towards the end of the week, and at the moment we are gearing up to consider watering as of next Sunday if the forecasts next week aren’t giving us any promise of rainfall the week after.”
