Royal Ascot going soft but officials hopeful of good ground for opening day

Officials at Ascot have welcomed the unseasonal deluge over the past few days and are hopeful the ground will be good when the five-day royal meeting begins on Tuesday.

Berkshire has had its fair share of rain since the start of the week, and it was still coming down at Ascot on Thursday morning. On Thursday afternoon the going was changed to soft after 17mm of rain at the course since Wednesday.

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels expects to see an end to the rain before the weekend and some drying days could leave the track on the fast side of good for the second half of the week.

He said: "The rain was welcome as we had a dry spring and summer last year. I wouldn't have wanted this rain next week but it's taken one decision away from me and the course has taken it well.

"The rainband is due to disappear after today with only light showers after Saturday followed by a largely dry spell. There is every possibility of opening on good ground on Tuesday with fast ground later in the week."

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