Little rain in this past week has allowed the sodden surfaces to drain, Goodwood, Newbury and Nottingham have all reported good racing ground which might ease to good to soft with the light showers expected in the coming days.

In the South West there is unlikely to be much in the way of precipitation and Simon Claisse, Cheltenham's clerk of the course, is expecting good ground for the early season opener.

Emma Spencer tells us that the weather in Dubai is fantastic but the turf course has been well watered and the stewards are aiming for good ground.

In Ireland they missed much of the bad weather last week and are still enjoying their balmy Indian summer and the ground is still riding on the firm side of good.