Conditions expected to quicken as meeting progresses

Clerk of the course Michael Prosser expects conditions to quicken as the July festival moves on to its second day, with jockeys pleased with conditions on Thursday.

The going eased to good for the start of the three-day fixture (from good to firm) following 16.5mm of rain over Tuesday and Wednesday, and Prosser said: "The jockeys have been extremely complimentary about the condition of the course and the way it has ridden.

"To a man they have described the ground as being good. Clearly it will improve overnight and through to racetime, if it doesn't rain. There's the chance of a shower on Thursday evening, not a heavy shower but there's the chance of a light shower.

"Anything like that will help maintain the status quo as there's moisture in the soil."

Looking forward to the rest of the meeting, Prosser added: "If it does stay dry overnight it will probably ride on the fast side of good, going towards good to firm, and I suspect it will be definitely be good to firm by Saturday with a dry 48 hours."

Regarding whether any watering would be required, Prosser said: "There shouldn't be any need. The amount of rain we had in close proximity to the start of the meeting should hold us in good enough stead."