Royal Ascot going update Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels believes good ground is "very unlikely" at this week's Royal meeting. Already facing the prospect of good to soft ground, no less than three millimetres fell at the Berkshire track from 8am to 11.30am on Sunday. "It is currently good to soft on the straight course and good to soft, soft in places on the round course. We've had three millimetres of rain since 8am this morning and it is still drizzling. I will take a further look this afternoon and update if need be," said Stickels. "The forecast is for unsettled weather all week and it is simply annoying. There is nothing we can do about it. I suppose we haven't had a proper soft-ground Royal meeting for some time and it will suit some horses, but for the majority I shouldn't think it would. "We are forecast to get between five and seven millimetres tomorrow, three to five on Wednesday and between four and five on Thursday. "While it drains well, once you get to good to soft, three to four millimetres of rain is all it will take to turn it soft. Once you get juice in it, it takes time to dry out and I'd say the prospect of good ground is very unlikely now."
