Royal Ascot Gold Cup Day Set For Good To Firm Ground Again

Royal Ascot continues on day three with conditions remaining on the quick side, as the dry weather shows no sign of easing.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels confirmed the ground is once again good to firm ahead of Thursday’s card.

“We put 5mm of water down overnight and the ground remains good to firm,” Stickels said.

He added that the forecast offers little change.

“It’s a bit overcast as we speak but it’s due to get up to about 26C later and stay dry. I can’t see much rain now at all this week, it seems we’re set fair. It looks generally dry through to the end of racing.”

There has also been a change to the round course configuration, with the false rail removed after being in place across the first two days, meaning the track is now at its full width and fresh ground is available on the inside from around nine furlongs out to the turn.

“The false rail which was in place from shortly after the mile-and-a-quarter start round to the home straight is no longer there.”

Attention on day three turns to the Gold Cup (4.15), where Trawlerman bids to defend his crown for John and Thady Gosden and Godolphin.

Stickels also reflected on Wednesday’s feature winner Ombudsman.

“We’ve seen some great performances and Ombudsman was brilliant,” he said.

Attendance figures remain up year-on-year, with 46,924 on day one (up three per cent) and 42,315 on Wednesday (up nearly two per cent).

“The numbers have been up and we’re very pleased with how things have been going so far,” Stickels added.

The only non-runner confirmed so far on Thursday’s card is Bobby McGee, who misses the Britannia Handicap on veterinary advice after being reported to have a temperature.