Martyn Meade has grounds for concern ahead of Method's Middle Park bid

Martyn Meade is hoping the ground does not become too soft for Method in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

His unbeaten colt has been vying for favouritism all week, having scored an impressive victory in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury last time out.

But the trainer said on Friday: "I'm a bit concerned about the rain. There's been lots there and they're saying they're likely to have some tonight as well. I'm watching the situation very carefully because I really wouldn't want to run him on heavy ground.

"I'm not saying he wouldn't cope with it but it's not ideal. He's a very fast horse and I don't want to blunt him in some dreadful ground. If it's good to soft that's fine but I just wouldn't like it to go heavy."

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Suitable opportunities are thin on the ground otherwise and Meade said: "The problem is we've got nowhere else to go so it's a bit of a dilemma. He's in peak form at home, he's done some really nice bits of work and I think it's benefited him to have a bit of a break, he's in sparkling form.

"It's such a shame because everything was looking really good at the beginning of this week. One can't get too depressed about it, it just depends where the rain hits.

"If he couldn't run I don't think there's anything else for him – this is what we've always aimed for. He's not in the Dewhurst, we could supplement but that's seven furlongs and this is the ideal race for him."

The ground was officially good, good to soft in places at Newmarket on Friday and clerk of the course Michael Prosser said: "It's likely to be breezy again overnight and there's the possibility of showers on Saturday, when the forecast suggests 3mm to 4mm. If we do get that rain I don't see us deviating from the slow side of good."

Read a selection of our Saturday previews . . .

Members' Club: Graeme Rodway is on the hunt for another Group horse in the Cambridgeshire

Members' Club: Saturday Jury – he's a star: Sean Levey expecting fireworks from Middle Park runner

Members' Club: Fabulous Newmarket card should bring smiles to our faces in difficult times

Graeme Rodway on a Royal Lodge packed full of quality

'This has been the plan since midsummer': trainer quotes for the Cambridgeshire

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