Hopes rising for Celebration card

Goodwood clerk of the course Seamus Buckley reported today that the track to be recovering well after the heavy rain which forced this evening card to be called off.

Buckley had to abandon their planned fixture after 50 millimetres of rain fell at the track in 22 hours.

The Sussex venue is set to race again on Saturday and Sunday, with the Celebration Mile and Prestige Stakes on the first day the highlights of the meeting.

Buckley has called an 8.30am inspection on Friday to assess their prospects of racing but he has issued an upbeat bulletin as conditions continue to improve.

"We had a bit of drizzle between 6am and 12noon today but it's been partially dry since then," he said.

"It is drying out but we will stick to the precautionary inspection at 8.30am and we are very hopeful of racing. The waterlogged areas are improving.

"There is the possibility of overnight showers and while we wouldn't want another 30mm, five or six would be OK.

"We would dearly love to make a good decision at 8.30am tomorrow as we feel that would be best for all involved - trainers, owners, jockeys and the media.

"However, if we feel we have to have a look in the afternoon, we will do that.

"We're not out of the woods yet but things are getting better."