Fahey’s high hopes for Woodcote Stakes rivals

Ballymore Castle burst through to score impressively in soft ground at Chester on his second start, while Burtonwood won on his second start at Nottingham before disappointing a little at Newmarket.

The forecast rain would be no barrier to Ballymore Castle, but Fahey admits he fears it would actually harm Burtonwood’s chances.

“I’ve walked the track and it’s beautiful ground and a dry day will see it nearly go good to firm but you don’t know what the weather will do. That’s why 48-hour declarations are the bane of a trainer’s life,” bemoaned Fahey. “They might get none or they might get a deluge. There’s not much between them, anyway.”

Norton trainer John Quinn’s impressive maiden winner The Wow Signal has been bought by Al Shaqab Racing.

The Starspangledbanner colt was a nine-length winner at Ayr in May, prompting Al Shaqab, who own the likes of Toronado and Olympic Glory, to snap up the Royal Ascot runner.

The owner has also bought into Harry’s Dancer, a five-length winner on her racecourse debut at Thirsk.

“It is a huge privilege to have such high-profile owners come in and invest in horses in our yard,” said Quinn.

California Chrome bids to become America’s 12th Triple Crown hero in tonight’s Belmont Stakes in New York.

With Kentucky Derby and Preakness triumphs already in the bag, Art Sherman’s charge will be trying to emulate such greats as War Admiral, Citation and Secretariat.

The Steve Cauthen-ridden Affirmed was the last horse to achieve the feat back in 1978.