Lack of rain means no Edwardstone at Cheltenham today

November 13

Another dry night at Cheltenham confirmed Alan’s fears that he would have no option but to withdraw Edwardstone from today’s Shloer Chase.

Alan had been really keen to get our Arkle Chase hero Edwardstone started again as he has not been out since Aintree last April.

He said:”I wanted to give him a race before the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown next month, but Edwardstone is a big, heavy horse who enjoys getting his toe in, and I can’t risk him on ground that is on the tight side.

“It is a long season and it is nobody’s fault. I am not putting the blame at anyone’s door – it is just unfortunate and, having walked the course yesterday, it was an easy decision to make.”

We are promised rain this week, with Ascot, who race on Saturday, expected to get a drenching on Tuesday – the forecast is for around 16mm on the Berkshire course.

With Edwardstone having a mark of 161, the two-mile handicap chase might be “an unattractive option”, but Alan will make the entry on Monday and stresses that “it will either be Ascot or we will go straight to Sandown.”