Risk of showers at Epsom ahead of Derby with going good to soft, good in places

Derby day could be hit by showers according to Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper, who pointed to an increasingly uncertain forecast for Saturday.

The going was changed to good to soft, from good to soft, soft in places, on Wednesday after negligible rain during the afternoon. However, there was a further change to the description on Thursday morning with going now good to soft, good in places emphasising the variability of conditions.

The Cazoo Derby, with a start time of 4.30pm, will be run on a four-yard strip of fresh ground over the final three furlongs.

Cooper said: “The weather outlook remains dry with 20-odd degree days for Thursday and Friday. But Saturday has got an increasing amount of uncertainty about it.

“There is certainly a risk of showers, perhaps from the afternoon onwards at this stage, but that is something where we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”

Racegoers arrive in the rain on Oaks day last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Derby day is a joyful occasion for racegoers who make their way to the famous Downs, but it comes with great anticipation for Cooper, who understands the magnitude of what the meeting means to the racing world.

“It’s a wonderful race meeting and a wonderful race,” Cooper said. “I wouldn’t call it apprehension, but you know what’s at stake. You know the focus that the race and the race meeting get from every angle.

“It’s not like anything else you deal with in the course of your working life, it’s a privilege to be a part of it – there’s huge anticipation, but there’s a huge sense of relief when it’s successfully all over at about 6pm on Saturday evening!”

Read more on Epsom . . .

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