Conditions drying ahead of British Champions Day but more rain expected at Ascot

Dry weather on Friday has resulted in quickening ground ahead of Qipco British Champions Day but forecast rain is likely to maintain soft conditions at Ascot.

The star-studded meeting, which includes four Group 1 contests, is being partially held on the inner Flat track after Ascot was forced to switch three races from the round course on Thursday due to heavy going.

Conditions were soft on the inner course and straight course – which will stage the Champions Sprint and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – on Thursday morning but the inner course has now dried to soft, good to soft in places after rain failed to materialise on Friday.

"We've been dry since Thursday morning, for more than 24 hours, which means the going has changed a little bit and is now soft, good to soft in places on the inner Flat course," said clerk of the course Chris Stickels on Friday evening.

"Going forward, we're expecting some rain overnight and into tomorrow morning. There's about 4mm to 6mm possible, so going changes will depend on how much we get. The rain should clear away by the early afternoon."

There are just two other turf meetings in Britain on Saturday following the cancellation of Newton Abbot's jumps card, which was called off on Wednesday due to waterlogging.

Conditions at Stratford and Catterick were soft, heavy in places on Friday evening.

Catterick will be the final battleground in the apprentice Flat jockeys' title race between Sean Dylan Bowen and Joe Leavy.

Champions Day previews:

1.20: 'Unbelievable' Kyprios has chance to cement his legacy but arch rival Trawlerman out to repeat last year's triumph 

1.55: 'I think he'll be hard to beat' - quotes and analysis for a belter of a British Champions Sprint 

2.35: 'She is on the upgrade big time' - can Kalpana or Time Lock end Juddmonte's wait for victory in the Fillies & Mares? 

3.15: Charyn 'in a real good spot' for QEII but challengers new and old lining up to test him in gruelling conditions

3.55: Economics 'ready to go' again in Champion Stakes showdown with Calandagan and Los Angeles

4.35: 'We've aimed him at this race and think he's well handicapped' - trainer quotes and analysis for tricky Balmoral Handicap 

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