Monday 18 June 2018 22:58, UK
Ascot's clerk of the course Chris Stickels is delighted with the condition of the track on the eve of the Royal meeting.
No discernible rain is forecast all week and the ground is currently reported to be good to firm, good in places.
"This is my 13th Royal meeting and it's still a nervous time, there's always a different challenge. I'm really excited," Stickels told At The Races.
"We're good to firm, good in places and watering to maintain that. We watered on Sunday, five millimetres on the straight and four on the round course, just to keep some moisture in.
"We were thinking we might need to water today, but the forecast has changed. It's cloudy and less warm, so we stopped watering on Sunday. I'm very pleased with it and it's in lovely condition for Tuesday.
"We're generally dry throughout the week, there may be an odd shower and we might get some sunny spells.
"We are highly likely to put a bit of water on on Tuesday night to replace the moisture and then we'll take it from there.
"If it's dry and breezy, we might need to do the same on Wednesday. We'll just have to assess as the week goes on."
