GOING ON ST PATRICK'S THURSDAY

  
Today the action switches to the New Course, which will also be used for the fourth and final day of The Festival tomorrow, Gold Cup Day.
 
The going on the New Course is: Soft, Heavy in places
 
There was nine millimetres of rain overnight. The forecast is for a dry afternoon, with temperatures of 11 to 12 degrees Celsius.
 
Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course, said this morning: "The rain that we had overnight has petered out and we are looking forward to a dry afternoon with some spectacular racing.
 
"What drama we had yesterday with poor Ruby Walsh suffering an injury which means he won't ride at the rest of the meeting. Then we had Nicky Henderson winning the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase with Altior to set him up with a possible treble in the three championship G1 races if Might Bite can land the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow.
 
"The nine millimetres of rain overnight has left the New Course Soft, Heavy in places. Most of the track we are using today has not had foot set on for 12 months and is in pristine condition. It will be perfect for this afternoon's sport."
 
Today's race distances:
R1: Chase bends set out 6 yards, adding 57 yards, the start has been moved forward 42 yards, actual distance 2m 3f 213yds.
R2, 4 and 6: As advertised.
R3: Chase bends set out 6 yards, adding 57 yards, the start has been moved forward 35 yards, actual distance 2m 4f 188yds.
R5: Chase bends set out 6 yards, adding 57 yards, the start has been moved forward 35 yards, actual distance 2m 4f 188yds.
R7: Chase bends set out by 6 yards, adding 75 yards, actual distance 3m2f 75 yds.

Updated Non-Runners at 10.00am today

2.10pm Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle
5 SHANTOU BOB (IRE) (Self Certificate, Lame)

2.50pm Ryanair Chase
4  DOUVAN (FR) (Self Certificate, Other)

3.30pm Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle
14  APPLE'S JADE (FR) (Self Certificate, Not Eaten Up)

4.10pm Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase
2 GO CONQUER (IRE) (Going)

4.50pm Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
9 DAME DE COMPAGNIE (FR) (Vet’s Certificate, Other)

5.30pm Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders Handicap Chase
22 RACING PULSE (IRE) (Self Certificate, Lame)

Non-Runner Tomorrow

2.10pm Randox Health County Hurdle26 I SHOT THE SHERIFF (IRE) (Going)

Meaning the first reserve KRUGERMAC can run.