Cheltenham November Meeting non-runners

Jaquob Crooke Published: 6 minutes ago

The list of absentees at Cheltenham's November Meeting has soared due to the ground.

The going remains good at Cheltenham after temperatures dropped to -3.9C at the track overnight, and fields have been decimated with the number of going-related non-runners has climbed to a total of 22 horses by 11:00.

Old Park Star and Kabral Du Mathan have both been ruled out of the Arkle Trial, with Dan Skelton explaining Kabral's absence was a "very easy decision to make".

In the three-mile handicap hurdle at 14:55, Ace Of Spades, Wonderful Eagle, Gold For Alec and Geezer Rockstar are all out.

Cheltenham clerk of the course Jon Pullin appeared on ITV's The Opening Show to discuss the latest on the ground and weather at Prestbury Park.

Pullin explained: "We got down to just about minus four degrees for a period last night. Conditions this morning are good ground at the moment.

"We'll do our pre-race walk a couple of hours before the first and possibly we will see some good to firm come in there, just a reflection of perhaps being on the quicker side of good.

"We watered after racing last night and it was still predominantly there, but just with this frost again overnight it will potentially have just tightened up a little more.

"We covered take-offs and landings in light of the frost that was forecast last night. They've done their job. They're being lifted.

"Temperatures are due to rise throughout the day, we should be at five degrees by 11am and climbing to eight or nine degrees."

The only exception to the plethora of other non-runners is Ultima winner and Grand National fourth Johnnywho, who is out of the Gold Cup due to a temperature.