Easy does it – Haydock conditions set to slow up as the heavens open

Stand by Quiet Reflection. The ground may get quicker before it gets slower at Haydock but rain is apparently on its way.

Fast ground is threatening the dual Group 1 winner's participation in Saturday's Armstrong Aggregate Temple Stakes, with trainer Karl Burke set to walk the track to check conditions.

The going was good to firm on Friday night, when clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "Without the intervention of the Lord it would be all the faster tomorrow. But we understand we are getting rain, the only question is when.

"John Kettley reckons it will rain in the morning and the Met Office says it will be the afternoon but, whichever is right, there is a consensus we're going to to get some.

"In the morning, if it hasn't rained, it would be no surprise if it was firm in places, but by racing we may well have had rain."

Rain, some of it heavy, is also forecast before the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas card at the Curragh, where the ground was good to firm on both the straight and round courses on Friday.

Haydock's renovated press room has been named after former Racing Post journalist Ray Gilpin and will be officially opened by his widow Sue at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Gilpin, who died at the age of 72 in 2015, regarded Haydock as his favourite course and his ashes were scattered there last year.

Haydock Saturday card