Ground an issue for Aidan O’Brien stars

Aidan O’Brien is one of a number of trainers left to ponder the effects of what looks set to be a soft-ground Royal Ascot.

Heavy rain hit the Berkshire track on Friday evening, leaving conditions on Sunday afternoon officially good to soft on the straight course, with soft places on the round track.

The Ballydoyle maestro will have a number of major chances throughout the five days, including French Guineas winner The Gurkha in what looks a red-hot St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening afternoon.