Royal Ascot hero Addeybb will relish softening ground in Rose of Lancaster

Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2½f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

A wet weekend will frustrate many across Britain, but connections of soft-ground lover Addeybb are hoping the forecast heavy rain arrives in abundance at Haydock.

The five-year-old relishes testing conditions and was an impressive winner of the Listed Wolferton Stakes on soft ground at Royal Ascot on his penultimate start.

With rain forecast from Friday night until race time, conditions may be ideal for Addeybb, who registered his only Group-race win on easy ground at Sandown last year.

Trainer William Haggas said: "He will need a bit more rain up there – they've had a fair bit already but they could do with more. He was great at Ascot but things weren't quite so good at York. If the ground is soft, he will run very well."

Improving Pondus seeks first Group success

The Classic generation have claimed three of the last four editions of this race and the James Fanshawe-trained Pondus looks to lead the three-year-old charge.

He looked a real talent at Sandown in May and bounced back from a below-par display at Royal Ascot to finish a fine second behind the progressive Fox Chairman at Newbury.

Fanshawe said: "He ran very well at Newbury, he was keeping on well there. I hope they don't get too much rain. He has a bit to find but is in good form and gets a bit of a weight allowance from the older horses. I think the course will really suit him too."

What they say

Owen Burrows, trainer of Wadilsafa
He is stepping up in trip. We tried him over a mile and a quarter at Ascot last year but he was trapped wide and a bit keen - on breeding it shouldn't be a problem. He ran well on soft at York, but in an ideal world we wouldn't want much more rain. His season hasn't quite gone to plan so hopefully we can get him back on track.

Raise You: makes his first start since finishing 10th in the French DerbyCredit: Mark Cranham (Racingpost.com/photos)

Andrew Balding, trainer of Raise You
I’ve been really pleased with him since he ran in France. We ran him back too quickly and he had a long journey that went against him. He’s in great form.

Joe Tuite, trainer of Surrey Thunder
He has come out of his last race fine and is in good form. Any more rain would aid our chance and the trip will be perfect for him.

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