GROUND conditions for next week's Cheltenham Festival remain up in the air due to rain forecast this week.
The ground is currently described as soft but that could change with up to 10mm forecast to fall on Prestbury Park throughout this week.
The meeting, which begins next Tuesday, has started on soft ground in each of the last three seasons.
Clerk of the course, John Pullin, said: "We've got a dry forecast for the next few days with some rain around, but we're uncertain of what volume at the moment, from Friday to Sunday.
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"It's too far out to think what we'll start on and not enough certainty with the forecast we're expecting, but preparations are going very well and we're pleased where we are currently. We'll monitor the forecast for the next few days and hopefully get to a point that we're happy with."
With the targets of several big-name horses set to be determined by underfoot conditions, this week will prove crucial for trainers, owners, jockeys and punters alike.
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