Royal Ascot: straight course now good with drying conditions set to continue

Conditions are continuing to dry out in the lead up to Royal Ascot with good now prominent in the going descriptions for both the straight and round courses, although thundery showers are forecast for day one of the prestigious meeting.

After a mostly dry day on Sunday the going at Ascot has changed to good on the straight course and good, good to soft on the round course.

Speaking on Monday morning, Chris Stickels, clerk of the course at Ascot, said: "We’ve had 2mm of rain over the weekend but since mid-morning yesterday [Sunday], it was a bright, sunny day with a strong breeze – good drying conditions.

"The track is drying and continues to dry so it's pleasing. We’re now good on the straight course and good, good to soft in places on the round course.”

Stickels is anticipating a further dry day on Monday, although he warned of the possibility of rain during the action on day one.

He said: “Between now and the start of the meeting I anticipate it staying dry. There are thundery showers forecast for Tuesday afternoon. We could wake up tomorrow morning and find they’re forecast for earlier in the day, but at the moment they’re due from mid-afternoon.

"Generally I’m expecting it to remain dry between now and the first race."

On the likely going description for the first race should conditions remain dry, Stickels added: "We might change to good to firm on the straight course and a slight quickening up on the round course.

"As there was so much moisture last week and there’s a lot of moisture down underneath the surface, it’s difficult to predict how quickly it’s going to dry out. The top is certainly drying nicely."

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