Rain hammers Cheltenham with cars stuck in mud as nearly 70,000 punters brave the elements on day one of the Festival

THE rain hammered down at Cheltenham ahead of the first day of racing – with cars getting stuck in mud and puddles forming on the track.

Almost 70,000 punters will brave the awful weather to take in seven races on the first day of the Festival.

Poor commentator Hunt got his car stuck in the mud just 200m from the main entrance to the track

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Punters will be wrapped up against the elements on day one of Cheltenham[/caption]

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These punters didn’t mind the showers as they rocked up in some jazzy outfits[/caption]

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The rain didn’t dampen the spirit of this racegoer who was among the thousands turning up on day one[/caption]

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Racegoer attempts to shield themselves from the rain on day one[/caption]

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Punters piled into the racecourse looking for winners – and cover from the rain[/caption]

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It was brolleys at the ready on day one of the Festival[/caption]

But racing commentator John Hunt got off to a shocker when he posted a photo showing his car stuck in mud ‘200m from the main entrance’.

After watching his car sink into the turf, 5 Live star Hunt 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.”

After his hiccup, Hunt was able to get into Cheltenham Racecourse in time.

Already it looks like one race tomorrow could be lost, with an inspection called on the Cross Country Course for 8am.

If the saturated track is not fit to race then that contest – which features the likes of former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo – will be moved to Friday.

Trainer Syd Hosie took a video of himself walking the track before the first race – the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – at 1.30pm.

He was kicking up water as he walked up the home straight, the standing water clear to see.

It means the soaking ground could throw up some freaky results with horses who revel in the mud coming to the fore.

Sun Racing picked out five horses who should relish the mud – while Templegate provided his tips for day one here.

Former Grand National winner and ITV Racing pundit Mick Fitzgerald also posted a video of the track looking back towards the huge grandstand.

Digging his heel into the turf to show the give in the grass, he wrote: “Soft as it has been on the opening day for some time!”

Hopefully the weather wouldn’t put too much of a dampener on racegoers.

More than 300,000 pints of Guinness will be sunk during the week.

The Irish will takeover Cheltenham on Thursday for their St Patrick’s Day racing – so expect to see a lot of the black stuff then.

While some 14,000 bottles of Champagne will also be drunk from 2km of bar space.

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