Wednesday 19 August 2015 13:25, UK
York chief executive William Derby says "everyone is hoping" that the much-anticipated clash between Golden Horn, Gleneagles and Time Test in the Juddmonte International Stakes can still take place despite a day of rain on the Knavesmire.
A total of 9mm of rain had caused the ground to change from good, good to firm in places at the start of the day to good, with a final report of good, good to soft in places at the close of play.
But Derby said that with the forecast for a dry night and warmer, dry weather on Wednesday, he was hopeful that the going would be "principally good" for the start of racing at the four-day Ebor Festival meeting.
However, dry weather should return overnight and for Wednesday, when the opening card is set to feature a mouth-watering clash between Derby hero Golden Horn and dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles in the Juddmonte International.
Derby said he had already been in contact with all of "the principals" ahead of the International, and added that he expected to talk further to the relevant trainers.
"It's been one of those days today when the drizzle and light rain hasn't relented," he told the audience at a Sky Bet preview evening at the racecourse on Tuesday evening.
"I've spent the day walking the track, again and again. It's just on the easy side of good and the forecast is for to stop raining between now and Midnight tonight and be a nice day tomorrow.
"It's just been one of those days. We've spoken a lot to the Met Office. It kept threatening to stop and leave us alone, but kept coming back."
Derby said he hoped that the condition of the course would satisfy connections of the main players in the International, although he admitted that the situation was out of his hands now.
"We haven't watered at all since the last meeting at the end of July," said Derby. "We were getting very quick until we had a lot of rain last Friday and that put us just where we wanted to be. We think it's a good racing surface.
"We've been in touch with all of the major principals. Some want more rain, some less rain. Let's just hope everyone takes their place. We can't do anything about it. We'd love to see the big clash tomorrow but it's out of our hands."
