Rain doesn't bother Elsworth

13 April 2012

With Royal Ascot looking as if it could open on the softest ground ever recorded at the fixture, trainer David Elsworth thinks he could be singing in the rain at the racing extravaganza.

Clerk of the course Nick Cheyne said: "We had 10mm of rain on Wednesday night, and with the penetrometer reading 4.7, the going is soft. I've never known going like it heading into the Royal meeting. We've had 63mm of rain since 1 June ."

The weather forecast for the period going into the fiveday fixture is very unsettled.

Although there could be drier, sunnier spells, they could be interspersed with outbreaks of rain.

However, Ascot does drain well, and things could improve if there are a few dry days.

Elsworth said: "I can't remember a really soft Royal Ascot either, but if it is soft, what's the big deal?

"I run Persian Punch - who has performed alright on soft during his career - in the Gold Cup on the Thursday, and, provided I can get Smirk over a small setback will run him in the Royal Hunt Cup.

"The soft going would suit him down to the ground. On the other side of the coin, Indian Creek wouldn't like too much give in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

"A little filly I like is Rainbow End. She will go for the mile and a quarter Hampton Court Listed Stakes which is for threeyearolds who have not won a Pattern race. This event is run on Gold Cup day."

Eslworth added: "Sunday's Well wouldn't mind soft either - I could run her in the Ribblesdale Stakes or the King George VI Handicap, I haven't decided yet.

"So you see, personally, it wouldn't be a disaster for us if it rains some more. Of course, like the other trainers, I would prefer good ground but it would not be the end of the world.

"And there again, it's better than too fast. Over the years two-year-olds have been victims of fast ground there. What happens between now and then if it goes on raining - that's the 64,000 dollar question? A lot of these showers are localised through, and you can miss them."

Amanda Perrett down in West Sussex was hoping that the ground would get progressively better throughout the Royal week, "especially for Tillerman, who will not run at the meeting if the going is soft". The Khalid Abdulla sixyearold entire is entered in the six furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes on the closing Saturday, which was previously Heath Day.

Her Dolores is in the Group One Coronation Stakes on the Friday.

The filly, who is yet to race on extremes of ground finished fourth about a length behind Kazzia in the 1,000 Guineas, the winner going on to land the Epsom Oaks.

Perrett's Solo Mio takes on Elsworth's Persian Punch in the Gold Cup, and does not mind the soft.

Rain doesn't bother Elsworth

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