Cheltenham's course is under cover in parts to protect it from frost

Giant frost sheets are being put over parts of Cheltenham racecourse to make sure the Boylesports International Race meeting can go ahead at the weekend.

Areas either side of the fences and hurdles are already covered but more of the course is being protected ahead of Friday and Saturday's two-day meeting.

"We are pretty confident that we will go ahead," course spokesman Andy Clifton told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"We have got the areas covered which are prone to frost."

Clifton added: "We are also racing on the new course this year. We are putting down a mile's worth of frost covers on the areas we used at the last meeting. That is the size of around five football pitches.

"It is an expensive and labour-intensive exercise but it worth it for two great days of racing. This meeting has got its own special crowd. For some people this is their favourite meeting."

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