Cheltenham Weather Update
“Just a little bit of selective watering today, it tightened up a little bit more yesterday than we anticipated – little bit of good ground out there first thing – so just a little bit of selective watering to keep the Good-to-Soft where it is and try and improve that good ground,” said Jon Pullin, reflecting on the current state of the track at Cheltenham Racecourse.
The Cheltenham Festival, one of the sport’s biggest weeks of the year, is taking place from March 10 to March 13, 2026. As the event approaches, the weather forecast indicates a generally wet week, with light rain expected from Monday through Friday.
On Gold Cup Day, scheduled for March 13, the going is rated as Good to Soft, but it may become softer due to anticipated rain. The forecast predicts some rain during the afternoon, alongside sunny spells, with highs of 9°C and an overnight low of 5°C.
“It’s a dream to have a horse run in the Gold Cup and go there with a chance,” remarked Harry Redknapp, highlighting the significance of the event. The Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious National Hunt races in the world, is run over a distance of 3 miles, 2 furlongs, and 70 yards, with a total prize money of £625,000, of which the winner receives £363,999.
Currently, the going at Cheltenham is soft on the Old Course and Good to Soft on the New Course. The forecast suggests that the track may be quicker due to a dry spell just before and throughout the festival, although conditions may still vary.
The final race of the day is set for 5:20 p.m. GMT, and as the festival progresses, attendees and participants alike will be keeping a close eye on the weather developments.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact impact of the weather on race conditions, but the festival’s organizers are prepared to adapt as necessary.
With temperatures expected to range from 12 to 15 degrees Celsius throughout the week, the Cheltenham Festival promises to be an exciting event, albeit with some weather-related challenges.