HEAVY rain which has swept across Britain could leave punters in the mire this weekend with ground now unusually soft for this time of the year.
At Goodwood today, the highlight is the £50,000 added Tripleprint Celebration Mile, in which Alhaarth can gain an overdue success.
Touted as the best thing since sliced bread before the season began, Alhaarth hasn't lived up to his top billing despite some very respectable efforts.
He comes here after finishing under three lengths third of 10 to First Island in the Group One Sussex Stakes over course and distance and can gain revenge on Mark of Esteem, who beat Dick Hern's colt in the 2,000 Guineas but hasn't run since unplaced at Royal Ascot in June.
Earlier, Crystal Heights should provide good each way value against likely hot pot Samwar in the £20,000 added Ladbroke Racing Handicap.
Roland O'Sullivan's eight year old has a fine turn of foot and can pounce fast and late to gain his biggest success to date.
On a very difficult day, punters should turn to the uncompetitive Snowy Gray Memorial Maiden Stakes at Beverley for a potentially very nice priced nap in the shape of Nirvana Prince.
No one in their right mind would attempt to buy money on the one paced Northern Fleet or thoroughly exposed Shirley Venture.
The extended two miles here will take plenty of getting on a rain softened surface - and that will suit Nirvana Prince down to the ground.
Bill Preece's seven year old looked a decent prospect as a staying hurdler in 1993-94 when winning four times but has been very lightly raced since.
But he showed he retains ability when second in a mile and a half Wolverhampton maiden last year and will come on for his reappearance run behind Altamura at Ripon over a hopelessly inadequate trip of 10 furlongs.
Given that Nirvana Prince should be 10 to 1 or better in this weak race, he makes much more appeal to carry the cash than trying to solve competitive handicaps at the major meetings.
It seems folly to oppose David Loder's juveniles at present, so, Velour gets the vote for tomorrow's highlight at Goodwood, the £32,500 added Crowson Prestige Stakes.
The consistent Tarneem should take the Triumvirate Limited Stakes, while grand old campaigner Chucklestone can follow up his recent Bath win.
. There was drama before the 10 furlong Group Three Spreti Rennen at Baden Baden yesterday with connections of Penny Drops forced to seek a replacement for the late arriving David Harrison. Harrison was replaced by Andreas Suborics but it made little difference to the result, with Lord Huntingdon's charge running sixth behind the impressive Artan.
