BBC commentator gets stuck outside Cheltenham as car ‘slowly sinks’ in mud after torrential rain

A BBC commentator has been left stranded on his way to the Cheltenham Festival after getting stuck in mud.

BBC 5 Live’s John Hunt’s car got stuck just 100 metres from the main entrance after days of rain made for a west surface in south-west England.

BBC commentator John Hunt got his car stuck in the mud

The rainy weather made for some difficult conditions

Hunt, right, made it into the Racecourse after a delay

Unfortunately for some arriving by car the only available parking was on grass.

That made for an awkward arrival for Hunt, who said he followed the instructions given to him by the parking staff.

He said: “It’s Champion Hurdle morning, so I was focused, completely focused.

“I also wanted to play by the rules, so I followed every order given to me by the member of the parking staff.

“The guy was waving me towards the space but on the approach to it I could see the glistening of a puddle on the grass. I knew my car might have struggled in that, so I went to the outside.

“Basically, I went wide, looking for better ground, as so often happens here. Unfortunately, in doing so I came to an abrupt halt with zero traction. I then slowly sank.

“The good news is I was told they should have me out by Grand National day.”

Asked what he thinks the wet conditions mean for the festival, Hunt said: “It’s miserable out there. If I was going to put a personal number plate on my car, it would say ‘Nassalam’.”

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After a bit of a delay Hunt was able to enter the grounds and teamed up with his colleague, ex-jockey Charlie Poste, for a photo ahead of the first race.

The 13:30 was won by Slade Steel, ridden by Rachael Blackmore, ahead of Willie Mullins-trained Mystical Power.