Going expected to be mainly good as course continues to dry

Friday's racing at York looks set to take place on ground that will be good, good to soft in places, according to assistant clerk of the course Anthea Morshead.

After no repeat of Wednesday morning's downpours the going had dried out to good to soft, good in places for racing on Thursday, and Friday's rail movements and dry forecast should ensure the runners will be racing on better ground still.

Speaking on Thursday, Morshead said: "We're going to move the rail to four yards out from innermost – which will be nine yards in from today's position – and then we will open it all the way in for Saturday.

"The inner extension is a sand-based construction so it's much freer draining, so that will swap us round on Friday to good, good to soft in places."

Asked if they were close to changing the ground on Thursday, Morshead replied: "No. The times in the straight are nearly good but the round course at the moment is clearly good to soft, as is the seven-furlong chute. On Friday, basically from the nine-furlong pole to the finish will all be good ground."

The course should continue to dry over the next few days, with Friday forecast to be cloudy but dry, and with more sun expected on Saturday.