Heavy rain at Newmarket leads to significant going change - plus three horses who should relish the conditions

Heavy overnight and morning rain in Newmarket has turned the ground to good to soft from good to firm for the opening day of the Craven meeting.

Dry conditions through March and the early part of this month had resulted in watering taking place at the Rowley Mile, with 5mm applied to the course on Friday by groundstaff.

However, the dry and sunny conditions that had prevailed in Newmarket for much of April gave way on Sunday when 3mm of rain fell, with a further 12mm of rain coming on Monday night into Tuesday resulting in the going change.

According to clerk of the course Andrew Morris, there is the potential for a small shower on Tuesday evening before dry weather for the final two days of the fixture on Wednesday and Thursday.

Despite the change in going, there is only one non-runner at Newmarket on Tuesday. Cairo, trained by Alice Haynes, has been taken out of the Group 3 bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (3.00) due to the underfoot conditions.

The meeting at Newmarket starts at 1.50pm with the first four races, including the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes, being shown on ITV4.

Who will appreciate the softer ground?

Here are three horses who will benefit from the rain at Newmarket on Tuesday . . .

Physique (1.50 Newmarket)

Pam Sly's five-year-old was an eyecatcher when fourth behind the reopposing Dark Thirty on his stable debut at Doncaster last month. Oisin Murphy retains the partnership and today's slower ground should help as he won on heavy at Galway last year.

Physique13:50 Newmarket

View Racecard

Jky: Oisin Murphy Tnr: Pam Sly

Persica (3.00 Newmarket)

This son of New Bay was a winner on good to soft and soft ground last season before claiming a Listed contest at Ayr in September. He is entitled to come forward for a reappearance third at Southwell and Ryan Moore is now aboard for the first time.

Persica15:00 Newmarket

View Racecard

Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: Richard Hannon

The Trickster (5.20 Newmarket)

Comes into this race unbeaten in two starts, following up a Beverley novice success when scoring on soft ground at Redcar in October. Will appreciate today's extra furlong on that evidence while an opening handicap mark of 83 looks workable.

The Trickster17:20 Newmarket

View Racecard

Jky: Jason Hart Tnr: John & Sean Quinn

Read these next:

1.50 Newmarket: can Dark Thirty repeat last year's win in £50,000 handicap for Richard Hannon? 

2.25 Newmarket: 'He’s straight enough to do himself justice' - analysis and key quotes for the Feilden Stakes 

3.00 Newmarket: 'He's doing everything nice and easy and is ready to go' - Ambiente Friendly set for seasonal return 

3.35 Newmarket: 'Her work has been good' - which trainer has their filly in fine form ahead of the Nell Gwyn Stakes? 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.