Epsom good, good to firm in places ahead of Investec Derby

Andrew Cooper, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, said: "We are Good, Good to Firm in places today. There is no great surprise in that as we were Good here yesterday but with dry, breezy days ground doesn't stay Good for long at this time of year.

"The GoingStick reading of 7.6 ties in historically with the mix of Good and Good to Firm. The split at the moment when you walk the track would be around 60 per cent Good and 40 per cent Good to Firm.

"Yesterday, Sunday, was a predominantly dry day with a half-millimetre shower at around midday. In this sort of weather, with temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, the track probably dries at a rate of around 2.5 to 3 millimetres of moisture a day.

"With tracks in the south of England, certainly Epsom Downs, we have never been Soft at any time this year, which means that the moisture profile is not as long lasting as it would otherwise have been. We have never been softer than the slow side of Good all year, even when we were watering during the hot spell, and that just means the ground dries a bit quicker than if you had a deeper, moister soil profile."

Rain is possible in the build-up to Saturday's showpiece fixture - but there isn't a significant amount expected.

"The forecast is looking rather uncertain at the moment. We are speaking to the Met Office twice a day and it is looking likely to be predominantly dry for the next 24 hours. Nothing in the forecast suggests serious volumes of rain. There are bits and pieces of rain around. There is more clarity in the temperature range, which is set to be around 19 to 21 /22 Celsius all week," Cooper added.

"I am very happy with the condition of the track, as I have been for the last couple of weeks. The track had its last feed a fortnight ago and it caught some rain during Royal Ascot week, although not as much as Ascot saw. It has blossomed in line with the timetable for the Investec Derby this year and is good condition. There is no rail movement this year due to all races taking place on the same day and all distances are as advertised.

"We were envisaging 16 to 20 horses would be entered for the Investec Derby as we planned for this year, but we didn't know quite what would happen. It looks a fabulously interesting contest.

"There is quality at the top end of the entries for the Investec Oaks, with Classic winners. We were expecting less entries for the Oaks than the Derby, but are pleased the quality is there.

"Investec Derby Day for 2020 is a neatly framed card. The Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes will be run under its usual conditions, with the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Investec) for three-year-olds only this year as it is serving the purpose of the Distaff race that is usually run on Eclipse Day at Sandown Park but is not being run this year. It is a one off for this year, with the Listed Investec Surrey Stakes opened to older horses this year."

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