Precautionary inspection called ahead of the seven-race card on Saturday.

Officials at Cheltenham Racecourse have called for a 7.30am inspection on Saturday morning after the course took persistent rainfall throughout the opening day of the meeting to add to the 7mm it received overnight.

Speaking to Racing TV, clerk of the course Jon Pullin said: "We've had 12mm of rain through the day to add to the 7mm overnight and as we've been racing this afternoon, we've opened up the track.

"We've still got further rain to come, possibly until midnight and we could see some heavy spells in the next couple of hours. Having opened it up it makes sense to have a look in the morning.

"The forecast is saying it should be drying up from 1am and we do know that once this track gets a bit of a window without any rain it does start to drain and hopefully that will be the case.

"This is precautionary, we've raced today and we do have that dry window. I'd be hopeful we'll be OK for tomorrow. We'll do everything we can to make a decision as early as we can."