Ascot watering ahead of royal meeting with fixture expected to start on 'a mixture of good and good to firm ground'

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels predicts the five-day royal meeting will start on a mixture of good and good to firm ground.

Stickels said on Tuesday: "We're good, good to firm in places. We watered today on the straight course with ten millimetres, and we'll water round the bends tonight with three [millimetres].

“We're dry until Thursday, but from then until Saturday there's the possibility of the odd thunderstorm. As for Ascot week, it's going to be largely dry until at least Wednesday."

He added: "We're a week away, however, so I'm not entirely confident the weather is going to play out like that. If I had to give a ground prediction for the opening day's racing, it would be a mixture of good and good to firm.

Chris Stickels: clerk of the course at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It has been quite dry since the beginning of March, but we've just been irrigating when we've needed to."

Royal Ascot often draws talent from around the world, and this year is no exception with Satono Reve, Asfoora and Carl Spackler among those set to join the party. 

“Adrian Beaumont and his team at the International Racing Bureau are very helpful," said Stickels. "We do what we can to make them as welcome and as comfortable as possible. We have a really good team that deals with that.”

Carl Spackler: set to run in the Queen Anne StakesCredit: Keeneland Photo

He added: “It's so rewarding to see great performances on the track. To see the best racehorses in the world competing here, it's a huge thrill.

"I get satisfaction seeing horses stretch out and being able to run to their best in decent conditions. And if we can have a week where there's no dramas on the track, then that's pleasing.

“I always love the Gold Cup because I think it's an amazing test of stamina. It always amazes me how you can get tight finishes after two and a half miles.

"I'm also looking forward to getting under way on Tuesday with the Queen Anne, which looks a great renewal."

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