NEW COURSE UNWRAPPED ON DAY THREE OF THE FESTIVAL 
 
Cheltenham's groundstaff are preparing to ready the New Course ahead of tomorrow's third day at The Festival.
 
Some rain is forecast overnight, but drier weather should prevail by the time racing gets underway at 1.30pm.
 
Clerk of the course, Simon Claisse said: "The weather forecast says we could get half an inch of rain, or up to 12 millimetres, later this evening and mid-morning tomorrow, and then a dry and mostly-bright afternoon with the occasional shower.
 
"The New Course is currently 'soft, heavy in places', but only just - the heavier places are at the back of the two-mile start, so [Affecting races] over two and a half. It's nearly good to soft, but there's no point changing the going at this stage with the rain that is forecast.
 
"It's quite often a quarter or half a point less slow on the New Course because it dries out that little bit better. We're doing all the rail moves overnight and the team will put back today's track, so they have a busy evening ahead."
 
Reflecting on today's action, Claisse said: "Altior was absolutely magic and had the stands on their feet. It's great that the three-timer of wins by one stable at the same Festival in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup is still on [for trainer Nicky Henderson]. We like that."