Chase course at Haydock now soft with further rain forecast before Saturday card

The chase track at Haydock has turned soft and clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright predicts a further easing of conditions before Saturday's Betfair Chase (3.00).

A total of 8mm of rain was recorded at the Lancashire track on Thursday, with the going description changing on the chase course from soft, good to soft in places to soft on Friday morning. A Met Office yellow weather warning for rain was issued for Thursday but the track reportedly avoided the worst of the deluge.

A further 3mm is forecast on Friday but conditions are set to be dry for Saturday's big race, which features the return of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard.

Speaking on Friday morning, Tellwright said: "We're now soft on the chase course and soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles track.

"We had 8mm in the jug this morning following 7mm the day before. Today we're expecting scattered showers, possibly another 3mm, which will make it a bit softer. Tomorrow will be largely dry and it will be a bit colder."

On Thursday, A Plus Tard's trainer Henry de Bromhead confirmed the odds-on favourite would take his chance despite expressing some concern regarding the ground.

The highest-rated chaser in training will take on just four rivals including three-time Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai and Protektorat, who finished third behind A Plus Tard at Cheltenham. Eldorado Allen and Frodon complete the field.

The ground is marginally quicker in places on the hurdles track and is officially soft, good to soft in places. Run For Oscar tops the betting for the £125,000 Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

At Ascot, the going is good to soft with a dry day forecast for the first of two days of racing. Saturday's card is headlined by the return of Constitution Hill in the Coral Hurdle (2.40), while Cheltenham Festival winners L'Homme Presse (2.05) and Edwardstone (3.15) are also set for their seasonal comebacks.

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