Weather looks set fair at York

York officials are looking forward to bright and sunny weather for the three-day Ebor Festival on the Knavesmire.

Although showers are forecast for this evening and possibly tomorrow it is likely to stay dry for the meeting that starts on Tuesday.

York chief executive William Derby today described the going as unchanged at good to firm, good in places.

He said: “We haven’t had any overnight rain. The forecast is for a dry day today but with the possibility of showers this evening maybe lingering Monday morning but clearing through Monday.

“Then it’s a bright week ahead with the possibility of an isolated shower on Tuesday but mainly sunny and bright.”

Derby announced that because of tonight’s forecast he had decided not to water the course.

“We won’t water tonight. We’ll see if we hit these showers or not. The going is just about where we want it and there is a good covering of grass and we have kept a lot of moisture in the soil so we are happy with it,” he revealed.

Derby is delighted with the field for the first-day feature, the Juddmonte International Stakes, following today’s final declaration stage.

“It’s a cracking field, absolutely top quality, so I’m really pleased about that,” he added.