Better day in prospect, and fresh ground for the Betfred Mile

The weather promises to have calmed down further for day four of Glorious Goodwood after Thursday's card was run in overcast and distinctly blustery conditions – although nothing like so bad as Wednesday's.

Clerk of the course Seamus Buckley, who was full of praise for the hard work put in by his groundstaff repairing the track overnight following Wednesday's deluge, said: "I think the course has ridden exceptionally well considering what it took on Wednesday, and it didn't stop the good horses winning. The groundstaff have done a fantastic job.

"I won't change the ground from soft, heavy in places, overnight, but I'll look at it in the morning and wouldn't be surprised if we go to soft, and even good to soft in places. I just had a walk down the straight for the last two furlongs and was pleased with what I saw."

He added: "Two and a half furlongs of rail on the bottom bend is coming down overnight to provide nice fresh ground for the Betfred Mile, and we're promised a better day.

"They're telling me there's no more rain to come, and Friday will be a better day than Thursday, and Saturday will be better again. It'll be less windy, and we're going to get some sunshine."

There was sunshine for punters on Thursday, bookmakers having been singing in the rain on Wednesday, and having enjoyed first-day winners at 100-1, 50-1 and 33-1.

As Buckley indicated, the 'good horses' came to the fore on Thursday, with no fewer than five winning favourites led by Winter, and no winner bigger than 8-1.

Coral's David Stevens reflected: "After a string of long-priced winners over the first two days punters finally had something to cheer about at Glorious Goodwood. For the first time this week the layers have finished second best."

Friday's Goodwood card