SOFT OPTION POSSIBLE AT THE FESTIVAL

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Simon Claisse walks the ground at Cheltenham

By Nick Robson, PA Sport

Despite the Desert Orchid Gold Cup of 1989 being the last time the Cheltenham Festival going was described as heavy, bookmakers have seen a wave of money supporting testing ground at the big meeting.

Conditions at the Gloucestershire track are currently described as soft, heavy in places, and Paddy Power dramatically slashed the odds from 20-1 to 10s for the first race of this year's fixture to be run on heavy in reaction to "substantial betting activity.

Blue Square and William Hill have also reported money for going softer than good, with good to soft a strong odds-on favourite with both firms.

Hills spokesman Ben Clarke said: "The going at the Festival hasn't been heavy for almost two decades, but that hasn't stopped punters quite literally pouring their money on to the ground being softer than good on the opening day.

"Officials obviously haven't ruled out the possibility of it being testing, but the ground at Cheltenham is soft at the moment and with some milder weather reported we're quite surprised at the big move.

"That being said, our get out of jail free card is for the going to be good and it would take two weeks of Sahara-like weather for the ground to dry out that much."

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse told At The Races: "If we were racing today the ground would be soft, heavy in places. There are heavy bits coming down the hill on the New Course which is used on Thursday and Friday, and also on the cross-country course.

"The last time we had heavy ground at the Festival was 1989. We are due for a mild week this week, but there is a strong sign of some high pressure building for next week and we may well start the Festival with some nice warm, spring-like weather."

Official going on the first day of the festival: William Hill bet: 4-6 Good To Soft, 2-1 Soft, 11-2 Good, 10-1 Heavy, 200-1 Good To Firm.

Blue Square bet:

8-11 Good-Soft, 2-1 Soft, 5-1 Good, 9-1 Heavy, 100-1 Good-Firm, 500-1 Firm.