Exeter and Wincanton are hoping to maintain good conditions for the ITV4 encounters as the dry weather forecast poses challenges

Exeter and Wincanton will expect to provide a good foundation for their big encounters, which will be shown on ITV4 on Friday and Saturday, as they brave the challenge of dry weather.

The MGM Haldon Gold Cup Bet it’s the race at Exeter on Friday, with the terrestrial channel showing four races on the card.

There is a chance of 2-3mm of rain on Thursday and some light showers on race day, and course secretary Jason Loosemore is hoping they will arrive to help keep the current record good.

At the Devon circuit, including the uphill run on the back straight and from the penultimate fence to the winning line on the home straight, the ground staff are drying the areas where it dries a little faster.

Loosemore said on Sunday: “We had a wet day yesterday and the next day or two it started to be quite misty. A weak front is moving in from Wednesday which could give us a cloudy day on Thursday as well as some cloudy rain on Friday so I’m hoping that will be good.

“It will not be easier than good for us if the forecast does not change significantly. The ground has only been drying out slowly over the past ten days, but I’d still like a few small showers to keep it fresh.”

Wincanton field clerk Tom Ryall expects to water at some stage this week to keep a good foundation for Saturday’s card, which includes the Badger Beer Handicap Chase, Elite Hurdle and Boodles Rising Stars’ Novice Chase.

Ryall said: “We’ve had a few dry days but they haven’t dried out the ground. The ground is wet and there could be some light rain later this week.

“It’s more than likely we’ll have to water at some stage this week to keep the ground in good condition – it’ll just be to make up for all the moisture loss from the top and I don’t foresee us going watering crazy and having to do that every day.”

The trip was described as good, good to strengthen the chase course for Sunday’s Sandown meeting, with the watering process in place to ensure good ground.

It was good to soften up on the obstacle course – the same course used for the Flat during the summer – and a third dry week in a row is forecast at Esher.

Course director Andrew Cooper said: “We haven’t needed to water the obstacle course but we have watered the pursuit lane for the last two weeks and plan to do so every day this week.

“It’s the fast side of good on the second half of the back straight and the obvious scenario is that it’s going to be no easier than good given the dry forecast.”

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