Cheltenham weather: Snow falls on course ahead of day two of horse racing festival

Instead it was that snow has been falling this morning on the racecourse. By 8.30am the snow had turned to sleet before gradually stopping with temperatures forecast to rise to 7C by the time racing begins at 1.20pm.

Prestbury Park will see the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm, but there is also a clash between The New Lion and Final Demand in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Today’s Met Office forecast for Cheltenham reads: “Sunny intervals and a chance of showers, these could become heavy and wintry, especially over the hills. Showers becoming more isolated later this afternoon with more in the way of sunshine. Brisk northerly winds in the west. Feeling chilly. Maximum temperature 9C.”

It does say there is wintry rain possible until 10am.