What you need to know to start your day including going from all the tracks

It all got a little silly yesterday, or it would have had it not been so serious, but today it should be strictly business. Ascot's pre-King George card is crammed with good handicaps and interesting juvenile races, while the feature Listed Valiant Stakes puts Nathra up against the improving Mittens. Meanwhile, Thirsk is the second card and features a good-quality nursery at 2.55.

In the evening, there is Listed action taking place at York (7.30) and Down Royal (7.55).

Going report

Thirsk - first race 1.20

Good to soft (no GoingStick report; 1.5mm rain in last 24 hours)

Ascot - first race 1.40

Good to soft (GoingStick 7.1 stands side, 7.1 centre, 6.9 far side, 6.3 round course Friday 8.15)

Uttoxeter - first race 2.00

Good to soft, soft in places on chase course (GoingStick 7.7)

Newmarket - first race 5.35

Good to soft (GoingStick 6.8 Thursday 6.30, 3mm rain since)

Chepstow - first race 5.50

Soft, good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.6 Friday 6.30)

York - first race 6.00

Good, good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.6 (6.7 on far side of straight course) Friday 8.15)

Market movers

Ascot
3.55 Red Galileo 9-1 (from 12s)
4.55 Rose Berry 9-2 (from 6-1)

Uttoxeter
2.00 Oscars Song 5-2 (from 4-1)
4.15 Clemency 5-1 (from 7s)

York
7.30 Aim To Please 4-1 (from 6s)

Down Royal
9.00 Wooster 4-1 (from 5s)

What's on today

The entries for the Nassau Stakes, Richmond and Lillie Langtry all come out today ahead of the Qatar Goodwood festival, while the build-up to the King George will start here from mid-afternoon.

What to back

Our tipsters have picked out their best bets on Friday.

Paul Kealy is our lead tipster today, while the two meetings in Irelandare also covered. (Members' club)

What to read

Yesterday's fiasco at Yarmouth might be the most bizarre story we will see in racing all year. We've covered it in full.

If you have already had your fill of that particular incident, catch up on our King George greats series with Harbinger, one of the race's most stunning winners.

What to watch

Get ahead on the big races on Saturday with Dave Orton.

David Baxter has also caught a glimpse of South American raider Sixties Song ahead of his King George bid.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The dust has settled on the Open Championship and Bruce Millington has had his say on Jordan Spieth and the Sky coverage.

In tennis, the ATP Atlanta continues and Adam Scriven has selected his bets. Meanwhile, Steve Palmer looks at day two of the European Open golf.

Final thought

Talk of an all-time great King George might be premature, but it must be a few years since the winners of all the races represented here- Eclipse, Coronation Cup, Breeders' Cup Turf, Epsom and Irish Oaks- all met in the race. All that is missing, sadly, is the Derby winner.