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Cheltenham’s cross-country contest is now subject to an 8am inspection on Wednesday following significant rainfall overnight.

The overnight rain has also seen ground ease to soft, heavy in places on the main course with clerk of the course Jon Pullin explaining: "We were initially forecast, going back two or three days, to be dry today. Then 48 hours ago that forecast updated to some light showers but only around a millimetre of rainfall. Then yesterday it was updated again to 2-4mm for this morning.

"The forecast which we got last thing yesterday then increased further and gave us some cause for concern and by 6.30 this morning we had actually had 6mm, with a further 4-6mm forecast through the morning.

"A heavier band of rain is due to arrive around 11am but it should be all over by around lunchtime. We might get an odd shower later in the afternoon but that should not be anything too measurable – the worst of this rain should finish this morning."

On the challenge of getting the cross-country course ready in time, he added: "Both the Old and New courses have taken the rain really well and have been updated to soft, heavy in places.

"We only race on the cross-country course three times a year and it hasn't the same level of investment in drainage as the Old and New courses. That means it takes a lot longer to filter through and dry.

"We have called the inspection as it is waterlogged in places at the moment but tomorrow is forecast to be dry and we will do all we can to get the Glenfarclas Chase on as scheduled.

"We are working with the British Horseracing Authority on a contingency."