Early inspection set for Wetherby as the rain continues to come down

Clerk of the course Jonjo Sanderson said: “The forecast was varying in terms of quantities of rain. The ground will also have opened up. Hopefully, if we have the minimum rain that has been forecast, there will be no problems.”

Today’s highlight is due to be the two-mile Castleford Handicap Chase in which West Witton trainer and jockey Lucy Alexander hope to win successive renewals with Charingworth who will relish the conditions.

It will not be easy; the select five-runner field includes Tim Easterby’s Lease Lend. Buoyed by Neptune Equester’s win, the aforementioned trainer-jockey team of Ellison and James are represented by Dontpaytheferryman while it is significant that Grand national-winning trainer Venetia Wiliams sends six-times winner Drumshambo to Wetherby from her stables on the Welsh border near Ross-on-Wye.

He will be ridden by Aidan Coleman, who was victorious yesterday aboard Saroque after finishing second at Catterick last week.

“He’s relatively inexperienced but he’s jumping well and has done everything right,” Coleman told the Yorkshire Post.

“It’s a step up in class from the likes of Ludlow but he’s an improving young horse and he will like the conditions.”