Epsom Derby Ground Conditions Change After Heavy Rain
The ground conditions at Epsom have changed significantly after 7mm of rain fell on the eve of the Derby meeting. According to reports from the Racing Post, the going for Betfred Oaks day has been eased to good to soft, good in places.
The Racing Post reports that Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper walked the track on Friday morning and decided to change the description of the going. Cooper stated that “after walking it this morning, I’ve flipped the description and in terms of where the good to soft is, it felt a little bit easier on the climb up the back to the highest point, whereas the last five furlongs are predominantly good.”
The change in ground conditions has significant implications for the Derby on Saturday. The Racing Post reports that there is a “real possibility” that the Derby will be run on soft ground, given the forecast for showers overnight and through the day on Saturday. Cooper noted that “I would think, with the forecast we’re looking at, there has got to be a chance of it being soft ground on Saturday. We have a mile of fresh ground on the inner on Saturday but we could be starting on good to soft today and we will have rain of some magnitude overnight. Soft ground has to be a real possibility.”
The potential for soft ground could have a significant impact on the fortunes of the runners in the Derby. The Racing Post reports that Delacroix, the favourite for the Derby, may benefit from the softer ground, having been beaten only a nose by Hotazhell in the Futurity at Doncaster on soft ground last year. Additionally, the two French runners, Midak and New Ground, may also benefit from the softer ground, given their past performances on similar surfaces.
On the other hand, some runners may struggle with the softer ground. The Racing Post reports that Ruling Court, Pride Of Arras, and The Lion In Winter are unraced on ground slower than good, which may make their chances in the Derby more difficult.
In conclusion, the change in ground conditions at Epsom has added an extra layer of complexity to the Derby on Saturday. The Racing Post will continue to provide updates on the going and the latest news from Epsom throughout the day. As the racing community waits with bated breath for the start of the Derby, one thing is certain – the softer ground will make for a thrilling and unpredictable contest.
According to the Racing Post, Cooper said: “Any time from midnight onwards, it remains showery and windy and it has the potential to be wet and windy on Saturday.” The Racing Post will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and providing updates on the going at Epsom throughout the day.
For more information on the Derby and the latest odds, visit the Racing Post website. The Racing Post is a leading source of horse racing news and information, providing up-to-the-minute updates on the going, the latest odds, and expert analysis from the world of horse racing.
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