Going likely to remain 'on easy side' as Ascot clerk says outlook uncertain

Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels on Tuesday said the weather in the run-up to Qipco British Champions Day is increasingly uncertain, but revealed the track may escape some of the rain previously forecast for Thursday.

Stickels believes the going is likely to remain "on the easy side" for Flat racing's richest day in Britain, but the chances of significant rainfall on Thursday have begun to recede, which will be music to the ears of the Baaeed camp but maybe not for supporters of Long Distance Cup favourite Trueshan. The ground was good to soft on Tuesday morning after a dry night.

"It's become a bit more confusing and there are forecasts now suggesting that we're not going to get quite as much rain on Thursday," Stickels said.

"It's not a particularly clear picture at the moment. There is less certainty over Thursday. We might see a few showers on Friday night into Saturday but the picture is very unclear."

Chris Stickels: 'It is crystal ball gazing in terms of how much rain we get'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Last year Baaeed won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on good to soft ground – a going description that allowed Trueshan to take his chance and win the Long Distance Cup – following four straight years of testing conditions.

Stickels said: "I'm now seeing forecasts with less rain for Thursday with that band of rain moving through more to the south of us and just clipping us a little bit.

"We've had a lovely day today and there could possibly be some good ground in the going description on Wednesday or Thursday if it doesn't rain first thing Thursday. If we get half the amount we were forecast then good to soft would be very likely."

Stickels added: "It is crystal ball gazing in terms of how much we get and therefore whether there will be good to soft, soft in places or, if we don't get very much at all, good in places. It's still likely to be on the easy side."

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