'It rode heavy' - rain continues to hit Goodwood | Redcar cancelled less than two hours before opener - live updates

Jockeys felt the ground was bordering on heavy at Goodwood after riding in the opening 1m4f handicap.

Victory went to 25-1 shot The Goat and winning jockey Jason Watson told Racing TV: "It rode heavy, the ground was sort of falling away from underneath you.

"I think the more racing in this drizzle then it will only get worse. The wind is strong and it's testing conditions, so I think it'll be quite an unusual day."

Frankie Dettori said the ground was "very soft", William Buick thought it was heavy and Oisin Murphy said "it's not heavy yet but it will be soon."

The going at Goodwood on day two of the track's flagship meeting was changed to soft after the Arab race with heavy rain hitting the track before racing.

The ground was described as soft, good to soft in places on Wednesday morning (from good to soft) after 6.8mm of rain overnight but has since eased again with rain and high winds forecast this afternoon.

Updated at 2.15pm 

Redcar cancelled after heavy rain

Redcar clerk of the course Fiona Needham was left with no choice but to cancel the track's seven-race card on Wednesday after persistent heavy rainfall hit the track.

Following 10mm of rain since 6.30am, the going at the track had changed to soft (from good to soft). With between 7-12mm of rain expected throughout the day, a decision was made by officials two hours before the first race at 2pm.

Needham said: "We had 10mm of rain up to 11.30am and we were all right but then the heavens opened, we had a rainstorm and another 11mm fell. 

"It was cascading down and we have standing water. They have also upgraded the local weather forecast to a yellow warning. There was rain around and it was potentially heavy throughout the day but I was quite relaxed until that cloudburst."

A statement from the track added: "We are desperately disappointed that today's race meeting has been abandoned due to the weather. It is hugely frustrating for everyone concerned but we have been left with no choice."

Updated at 12.45pm

Aldaary supported for Sussex

Aldaary has been backed into 8-1 for the Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35) with ease in the conditions in his favour.

William Haggas landed this Group 1 contest last year with the brilliant Baaeed and saddles the Shadwell-owned Aldaary, who was as big as 11-1 with the firm on Tuesday.

The son of Territories has won six of his 12 starts and was last seen finishing second to Master Of The Seas in the Group 2 Summer Mile on good to soft at Ascot last month.

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Chindit, trained by Richard Hannon, has been taken out of the mile contest, while odds-on favourite Paddington is now 2-5 (from 4-9).

Paul Binfield, spokesperson for Paddy Power, said: "The non-runner has slightly affected the prices, but Paddington is a warm order in his bid to complete seven wins in a row, while Aldaary has attracted some support with Jim Crowley chasing another big-race victory in the same colours that he sported for King George glory."

Aldaary: could he be a danger to Paddington?Credit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

Richard Hannon has a huge opportunity to make it three wins on the bounce in the Molecomb Stakes (3.00) as Baheer continues to attract support in the market.

Having landed the 5f sprint with Armor and Trillium in 2021 and 2022, the Wiltshire-based trainer has another good chance with Baheer, who is now 7-2 with most firms and only behind 3-1 shot Kylian and 5-2 favourite Big Evs in the betting.

The son of Mehmas was a general 9-2 price overnight as he attempts to follow up his win in a Newbury novice last month.

Updated at 11.25am

Hewick given green light for Galway Plate

Shark Hanlon has given jump racing fans the news they wanted to wake up to this morning, revealing that defending champion Hewick will definitely run in the Tote Galway Plate (6.40). 

Hanlon had said in the lead up to the race that Hewick would not run if the word soft appeared in the going description but after only 4mm of rain fell overnight the jumps track at Galway is now good to yielding. It is yielding on the Flat course. 

Hanlon walked the track early this morning and was pleasantly surprised with the condition he found it in. 

He told the Racing Post: "Hewick definitely runs. Win, lose or draw, he'll be in there and trying his best. 

"I'm amazed after all the rain that fell everywhere that the ground here is actually lovely. It's on the soft side of good. No worse than that. 

"I thought yesterday it might end up soft to heavy but it's beautiful ground. It's good ground all around the back and down in the dip it's probably yielding. 

"I definitely wouldn't run him on soft ground, but it's beautiful ground and Hewick definitely runs."

Shark Hanlon: trainer of HewickCredit: Laura Green

Hanlon said that he has been inundated with well wishes prior to the race, most of them coming from the US where Hewick has amassed a big following after his Grand National success at Far Hills last year. 

Hanlon said: "You wouldn't believe the amount of messages I'm getting. I sat down to eat my breakfast this morning and the phone never stopped beeping. The amount of people in America who have got in touch is incredible. My phone is hopping. At least he runs now anyway and it will keep a lot of interest in the race for everyone. We can't wait."

Hewick is generally a 12-1 shot to follow up his win in the race last year where he defied a mark of 155. He is 12lb higher this time around.

Published at 10.35am

Favourite ruled out of Richmond Stakes

Unquestionable, who was the 2-1 favourite for the Richmond Stakes on Thursday, has been declared a non-runner due to the ground.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the two-year-old son of Wootton Bassett colt was well fancied for the Group 2 event, and had been in front of recent Newmarket winner Jasour and the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Vandeek in the market.

Unquestionable was due to make his first start in Britain after racing three times at the Curragh, where he landed a maiden in May before running home in second to Bucanero Fuerte in the Group 2 Railway Stakes. Emperor's Son, trained by Richard Fahey, is also out of the race.

Updated at 11.40

Market movers

Goodwood
3.00: Baheer 10-3 (from 9-2)
3.35: Paddington 2-5 (from 4-9), Aldaary 8-1 (from 11), Facteur Cheval 14-1 (from 16)

Galway
5.10: Genuine Article 9-4 (from 11-4)
5.40: Winter Fog 4-1 (from 9-2)
6.10: Immelmann 9-4 (from 4)
6.40: Kilcruit 5-1 (from 6), The Goffer 9-1 (from 10)
Updated at 11.45am

Non-runners

Goodwood
1.50: Alumnus
2.25: Rage Of Bamby, Jumbly, Olivia Maralda
3.35: Chindit
4.10: Harvanna, Cotai Vision
5.20: Mamillius, Darkness, Thunder Ball

Galway
5.40: Dorset Lady, Wrecking Ball Paul, Mr Sundancer
6.10: Youcrackmeup
6.40: Gevrey, Hereditary Rule, Vina Ardanza
7.15: Bonarc, Lady Rita
7.50: Sionnach Mor

Updated at 1.45pm

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