Horse Racing: Perfect Ground Forecast for Track's Big Week

Chris Stickels, clerk of the course at Ascot, anticipates next week's Royal meeting getting under way on perfect ground after a forecast of rain over the next four days has meant that watering of the track will not be necessary.

"We are currently good to firm and are on the fast side of that after a dry weekend," said Stickels yesterday. "The forecast is for it to turn wet for the next few days and we could see up to an inch of rain between now and Saturday, which will mean I don't need to water. We are looking at a more settled week from Sunday, with perhaps the odd light shower."

The draw at last year's Royal meeting played an important part in the big-field handicaps on the straight course, with jockeys shunning the far side of the newly laid track where they felt there were more undulations. However, Stickels does not believe there is any draw advantage. "They won from the high numbers up the far side at our September meeting," he said. "I don't believe there is any bias at present."

Interestingly, the stands' side (low numbers) seemed out of favor at the last Ascot meeting in May, when Zidane and Bahamian Pirate, drawn 24 and 23 respectively, came up the centre of the course to finish first and second over six furlongs.

Dutch Art, Peter Chapple-Hyam's big hope for Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes, limbered up on the Newmarket gallops yesterday morning. He was partnered by Jimmy Fortune, who also teamed up with the stable's Coventry Stakes contender, Winker Watson.

Richard Fahey's Utmost Respect was yesterday the subject of a major gamble for Saturday's William Hill Trophy at York. Unlucky in running at Goodwood on his reappearance, he was cut to 6-1 favorite, from 12-1, by Ladbrokes.

Ron Cox's tip of the day:


Royal Rock 7.20 Kempton

Chris Wall won this race with Finsbury last year and the Newmarket trainer, who has his team in good form, has another strong contender in Royal Rock. This sprint-bred gelding tries six furlongs for the first time, which is rather surprising as he has shown plenty of toe and looked all over the winner at Newcastle (7f) last time before being caught in the last stride. He looks capable of better.