Epsom team on weather patrol

Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper is keeping a close eye on the weather forecast ahead of the two-day Vodafone Derby meeting, which begins on June 1.

With just nine days to go before the Vodafone Oaks next Friday, Cooper has the going as good – but that could be subject to change with an unsettled weekend forecast.

Cooper, speaking from Epsom on Thursday morning, said: “If we were to race today then I would call the ground good, although it probably looks easier than it would do on a racing day.

“There are mixed reports about how much rain is forecast this weekend in the south east, so I am just going to sit tight and see what the weekend brings.

“With the moisture we have in the ground we can afford to just sit tight and see how things pan out, especially with today and tomorrow forecast to be warm, drying days.”