March brings-forth the spring equinox when underfoot conditions can change rapidly with daylight hours  lengthening and temperatures hopefully rising, although cold nights and a frost are still a threat to the gardeners among us.

Preparations for Monday’s meeting have been affected by the recent dry spell which has included a cold easterly wind blowing across the course drying the surface, indeed no rain had been recorded since the 28th February. Going for entries last Monday was Good to Soft but by Wednesday afternoon it had become Good with Good to Firm places and with the cold and dry weather set to continue the decision was made to water.

6mm of irrigation was applied to the racing surface Thursday/Friday and on completion the going was described as Good. Mid-afternoon on Friday saw the arrival of showers which continued into the evening and resulted in 4mm of rain being recorded. I walked the course again Saturday morning and declared the going to be Good to Soft, with dry conditions set to prevail between now and racing.