Dry forecast for Champions Day as going remains soft, heavy in places

The going at Ascot on Friday evening was described as soft, heavy in places with a dry forecast expected on Qipco British Champions Day.

There has been around 8mm of rain at Ascot this week with soft set to feature in the going description for the showpiece meeting for the fourth successive year.

The Met Office predicts an overcast but dry day at the Berkshire track on Saturday with temperatures peaking at 12C.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said on Friday evening: "It's been a dry day with no change to the going description. There's a small risk of a light shower on Saturday but it's very minimal, so we're anticipating a dry day and it being a bit overcast.

"There's a chance the going might change to soft on the straight course, but evapotranspiration is minimal at this time of year and we've had 8mm this week. It's not drying particularly quickly but we'll see how it is in the morning and if there's a heavy dew."

The six races on Qipco British Champions Day will form part of a global betting pool, with Hong Kong, Australia and the US among nations betting into the single pool.

Champions Day card

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