Cheltenham ground today: Met Office weather forecast for Day 3

Latest weather forecast and ground report from the 2023 Festival racecourse

Derek Fox (r) riding Corach Rambler takes the water jump on his way to winning the Ultima Handicap Chase (Getty Images)

Organisers will be hoping the rain holds off as the 2023 Cheltenham Festival continues.

It has been a disrupted racing season, with significant cold spells causing problems in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

While a lack of precipitation has caused courses to run quicker than usual, a weekend of welcome rain in advance of the Festival could impact upon the favourites.

Cheltenham Festival: Follow the latest updates from Day 3 LIVE!

Day one was relatively clear and mild but the fans were wet on day two, here’s what we can expect at Cheltenham on day three and whether you need to bring an umbrella.

Here’s what the forecast looks like:

What is the forecast for the third day of the Cheltenham Festival?

Punters can use the forecast and going to adjust their selections on Day 3 accordingly, as of Thursday morning, the going is soft, good to soft in places, with the racing switched over to the New course after two days of racing on the Old course.

There has been 4mm of rain in the last 24 hours, but fans will be pleased to learn there is just a bit of drizzle and a small chance of light showers, which would provide an extra 1-2mm of rainfall.

What is the going at Cheltenham?

Going update on Thursday: Soft, good to soft in places for day three.

Going update: soft, good to soft in places for day three.

Schedule: Thursday, March 16

• Turners Novices’ Chase - 1.30pm
• Pertemps Network Final Hurdle - 2.10pm
• Ryanair Chase - 2.50pm
• Stayers’ Hurdle - 3.30pm
• County Plate Chase - 4.10pm
• Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle - 4.50pm
• Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup - 5.30pm