Hammond delighted with conditions ahead of Cheltenham Festival

Trainer Micky Hammond says the torrential rain in February has provided the perfect Cheltenham conditions for Cornerstone Lad.

Large parts of the United Kingdom were battered with heavy rain and high winds last month, and numerous meetings were abandoned due to waterlogged tracks.

The weather has eased off over the past week and all roads now lead to next week’s Cheltenham Festival, which runs from March 10-13, and Hammond is feeling positive ahead of the trip to Prestbury Park.

His charge, Cornerstone Lad, will be going for glory in the Champion Hurdle after the six-year-old produced a stunning effort to win the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November last year, narrowly beating Buveur D’Air.

While some trainers will be hoping for the ground to firm up, Hammond is happy the rain has fallen so heavily after revealing the conditions suit the gelding.

‘We’ve been lucky in that he needs cut in the ground and we’ve had one of the wettest Februarys on record,’ he said, as quoted by Racing Post.

‘He’s better with dig in the ground and it looks as though conditions are going to be right for him with the ground soft at Cheltenham.

‘It’s just whether he’s good enough.’

In other Cheltenham-related news, sports bookmaker Betway have produced a video to see Cheltenham racecourse as you’ve never seen it before, and discover what it’s really like to compete in the greatest show on turf.

Their Betway horse racing odds are also as competitive as ever, and it’s sure to be an exciting week of racing.

Watch the video below:

A public health notice has been added to the track’s latest update on the British Horseracing Authority’s administration site.

It reads: “Do not travel to the Festival if: – You have any of the following symptoms – a cough, a high temperature or shortness of breath AND – You have been to or transitted through the high-risk countries, or been in contact with anyone that has, in the last 14 days.

“To protect yourself and others please do not travel and call NHS 111 (GB) or HSE 112 (Republic of Ireland) for expert advice.

“These measures are being taken in order for us to safeguard everyone’s health and wellbeing during the current public health situation.

“Thank you for your understanding. For more details, please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.”

 

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