'We wouldn't want to see those wind speeds increase' - Cheltenham hopeful weather won't disrupt Showcase opener

Cheltenham racecourse is monitoring weather conditions ahead of the opening day of its Showcase meeting, with Storm Austen prompting a yellow weather warning for the south-west of England on Friday. Although Cheltenham lies just outside the affected zone, wind gusts could reach 43mph by 3pm, while up to 20mm of rainfall is forecast between Thursday night and Friday. Clerk of the course Jon Pullin said wind speeds are manageable at current levels but will be closely watched, and the going — currently good — is expected to ease significantly before the seven-race card begins at 1.15pm.