Good to Firm at Ascot With the forecast heavy rain having failed to materialise, the going at Ascot has dried out to good to firm for Ladies' Day. Clerk of the course Chris Stickels walked the course at 9am before giving an update on conditions. "There is still a chance of showers today, but only a chance. I think that it is a similar theme for tomorrow - a chance of a few showers," he said. "On Saturday the likelihood grows again of rain but I think that the forecast has been so volatile that we cannot really be sure." The weather has handed Stickels a dilemma over watering at the track, as any further quickening of the going would unfortunately be likely to leave some trainers reluctant to run their horses. "There is a chance that we might water tonight," Stickels said. "If it does stay dry today and if there is only a risk of small scattered showers tomorrow, then we will probably put a bit of wateron after racing." The GoingStick readings suggest that the ground has quickened up noticeably within the last 24 hours. Having been 8.3 and 8.4 on the round course on the first two days, it is now up to 9.3.
