Cheltenham opener gets the green light

This afternoon's Cheltenham meeting is set to go ahead, although the first race will be delayed by 35 minutes.

The cross country course was due to be in action at 4pm but that race is now scheduled for 5.45pm.

However, if the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase is to go ahead, the banks course must pass a further inspection at 2.15pm.

The William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle will still open the card at the revised time with the Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy now going at 2.40.

The JLT Specialty Chase now starts at 3.20, while the feature Stan James Champion Hurdle now has a post time of 4pm.

Quevega will bid for a fifth successive victory in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at 4.40, as originally planned, with the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase due off at 5.15 as scheduled.

The cross country chase will then round off the card at 5.45pm, if the track is fit to race.