Simon Claisse is satisfied with preparations ahead of the Cheltenham Festival

Simon Claisse is satisfied with preparations ahead of the Cheltenham Festival

The whole of the Old Course (used for the first two days of the meeting), the New Course (for the second half) and vulnerable areas of the Cross Country track are under 65 acres-worth of black frost covers.

It snowed briefly on occasions during a bitterly cold morning and afternoon on Monday and the blankets will not be removed until as late as possible on Tuesday.

"We've looked under the covers and the ground is perfectly raceable, and we can go on with confidence provided nothing unexpected happens," said Claisse, who was pleased with the state of the Cross Country track after checking it out in mid-afternoon.

"When I walked the course at the weekend it was soft and I think the Festival should start with soft going tomorrow, but I am guessing because I won't know until the frost covers are lifted.

"That process will start as late as possible tomorrow - 10am. The lifting of covers on the Old Course will have to be completed by 1.15pm, but should be finished before then.

"There are forecast to be occasional wintry showers tonight. These showers are only expected to amount to 1mm of rain.

"We actually recorded a windchill temperature of minus 9C early this morning but the lowest temperature we are forecast tonight and tomorrow is minus 6C.

"It should rise to as high as 4C tomorrow. I won't be announcing any precautionary inspections."