All systems go for Bath's Friday fixture despite spring drought and no conventional watering system

A welcome 10mm of rain on Wednesday has left the going good to firm, firm in places for Friday's meeting at Bath, with course officials pleased to see further rain forecast for the weekend and beyond. 

Without a conventional irrigation system, Bath has always been susceptible to firm ground and one of the driest springs on record has not helped matters this year. However, clerk of the course Ben Hicks is "very confident" the track is in good shape for Friday's seven-race card. 

"We had 8mm of rain in the early hours of Wednesday followed by a 2mm shower in the afternoon and, having had a day and night to get into the ground, we've changed the going to good to firm, firm in places [from firm, good to firm in places]," said Hicks on Thursday. 

"It's certainly had an effect and there's more rain coming over the weekend and next week, which will only help the track."

Instead of the type of watering system used by other courses, Bath has access only to a bowser and rain gun, meaning only selective watering is possible to aid recovery following race meetings. 

"The grounds team have worked very hard and it should be lovely, quick ground for racing," said Hicks. "It's been well documented that it's been the driest spring for a long time, and we've had significantly less rainfall than this time last year. 

"The majority of our early meetings last year were all on soft and heavy ground, whereas this year they've all been around the good to firm and firm mark. It's been notable, but over the next week or so it looks like the weather conditions are going to turn. There's a good two weeks at least of some unsettled conditions, which is good. 

"We've opened the track to its full width for the first time this year, so there's a good four to five yards of fresh ground up the home straight. There's a good covering of grass and it's level, so we're happy with track conditions."

After Friday's meeting, the track's next fixture comes on June 6.

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