EARLY GOING NEWS
   
The going for the second day of The November Meeting, BetVictor Gold Cup Day, Saturday, November 18, remains:
  
Chase and Hurdle courses: Good to Soft
 
All chase bends have dolled out seven yards and hurdle bends have been dolled out nine yards. The start of the 2m 5f hurdle has been moved forward 26yds and the 2m 4½f chase 34 yards.
 
Today's race distances are therefore as follows:
 
12.40pm - 2m 143yds
1.15pm - 3m 168yds
1.50pm - 3m 3f 159yds
2.25pm - 2m 4f 108yds
3.00pm - 3m 1f 187yds
3.30pm - 2m 5f 84yds
4.00pm - 2m 143yds
 
 
Simon Claisse, Regional Head of Racing, South West & Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham, said this morning:  "We had a fantastic day's racing yesterday, Countryside Day, with some fiercely-competitive handicaps and it was fantastic to see Finian's Oscar win the Steel Plate & Sections Novices' Chase.
 
"There was a huge crowd of just over 21,000 yesterday and we are expecting 30,000 plus today, BetVictor Gold Cup Day, for what should be a fantastic afternoon of racing.
 
"It has been dry overnight and so we have left the going description on the chase and hurdles courses as Good to Soft. I have had a good walk around and the course has taken yesterday's racing well and is looking in great nick.
 
"The forecast is for the possibility of some light rain at some time - let's hope it comes after racing."
 
NON-RUNNER TODAY

4.00pm Experience The Theatre At The Festival Mares' Standard Open NHF Race (Listed)

6 MOONLIGHT ESCAPE (IRE) (Self Certificate, Not Eaten Up)
 
NON-RUNNER TOMORROW

3.00pm Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

15        TOP OTHE RA (IRE) (Travel)