EARLY GOING NEWS
The going for the third day of The Festival, St Patrick's Thursday, remains:
Good, Good to Soft in places
Today racing switches to the New Course.
All chase bends have been dolled out seven yards, adding 67 yards to races over 2m 4f and 2m 5f, and 92 yards to the race over 3m 2f.
However, the race one (JLT Novices' Chase) start has been moved forwards 42 yards, so the actual distance run is 25 yards over the minimum distance.
The forecast is for conditions to remain dry but cooler than the previous two days, with temperatures of around 10 degrees Celsius.
The round course was watered overnight, with 10 millimetres of moisture applied.
NON-RUNNERS TODAY
3.30pm Sun Bets Stayers' Hurdle
5 DEDIGOUT (IRE) (Going)
11 THE NEW ONE (IRE) (Self Certificate, Lame)
13 UN TEMPS POUR TOUT (IRE) (Self Certificate, Other)
15 YANWORTH (Self Certificate, Not Eaten Up)
ARKLE AND DAWN RUN TO CELEBRATE
ST PATRICK'S DAY
Two of Cheltenham's greatest heroes, Arkle and Dawn Run, will play their part in celebrating St Patrick's Day.
Horse Racing Ireland is lighting the statues of the two famous horses, both bred and trained in Ireland, green on Thursday evening at 6.30pm, which is the eve of St Patrick's Day.
The statues, which are situated on the crescent walkway above Cheltenham's parade ring, will remain lit during the Tattersalls sale in the parade ring after racing today.
Arkle, trained by Tom Dreaper in Co Meath and ridden by Pat Taaffe, won the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He is considered to be the greatest chaser there has been.
Dawn Run, trained by Paddy Mullins in Co Kilkenny and ridden by Jonjo O'Neill, won the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986. She is the only horse so far to complete the Stan James Champion Hurdle-Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup double (1984 and 1986).
