York ground continues to dry as forecast rain misses Knavesmire

The going at York quickened to good to firm, good in places from good, good to firm in places on Monday following a dry day on the Knavesmire.

Assistant clerk of the course Anthea Morshead said: "We've had a dry, warm and bright day and the course is drying out nicely. From the six furlongs to the winning post and the north and south bends would be the good to firm areas."

Initial Met Office forecasts had been for rain to hit the course through Monday evening but by the afternoon, those predictions had changed to indicate the band of wet weather was likely to pass by the north of the venue, which hosts the first day of its Ebor meeting on Wednesday.

There remains a degree of uncertainty about the remainder of the week, with different forecasts predicting differing amounts of rain but Morshead said the Met Office, which provides the course's official forecast, is not expecting rain beyond Wednesday morning.

"Tuesday is meant to be another dry day, while there is now a 60 per cent chance of showers before racing on Wednesday morning according to the Met Office," said Morshead on Monday.

That news will not be welcomed by connections of Betfred Ebor favourite Flymetothestars, with the Sir Mark Prescott-trained contender unlikely to run without enough rain.

The four-year-old was among 72 to stand their ground for the staying contest at Monday's confirmation stage, with Desert Skyline and Kidmenever among those withdrawn.

Elsewhere, top two-year-olds Cardsharp, Barraquero and De Bruyne Horse featured among 21 to go forward for the Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes.

York Saturday