Newbury call Friday inspection

Friday's meeting at Newbury is subject to a 7am inspection on raceday.

While the course is reported to be fit for action at present, the ground is heavy and further rain is anticipated tonight.

Newbury's head of communications Andy Clifton said: "The going is heavy but we are raceable at the moment. We had 2.5 millimetres of rain overnight, but other than that we have had a dry couple of days."

He added: "More rain is forecast tonight so it makes sense to have a look in the morning and assess where we are."

Should the meeting pass the inspection, it should see the return to action of Midterm, but his rider Ryan Moore is not getting carried away before the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Stallions Conditions Stakes at Newbury.

One of the ante-post favourites for the Derby after winning a maiden impressively last season, his reputation has more to do with his breeding.

A son of the pre-eminent sire Galileo, his dam is the multiple Group One winner Midday so if ever a horse was bred to be a champion he is it.

Not much was expected of him on debut and he was sent off at 8-1 and for much of the race the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt looked like making a pleasing enough introduction before the penny dropped and he fairly rattled home, winning by a length.

He only faces two rivals at Newbury, both winners, but Moore is keeping his expectations in check at this early stage of Midterm's development.

"The boss will be monitoring the ground for the horse, but I imagine the plan will be to run if it isn't bottomless, and he did win his maiden on the course over a mile last October with cut in the ground," Moore told Betfair.

"I think experience is what this horse needs, first and foremost. Yes, he has the potential and has the pedigree - being by Galileo out of six-time Group One winner Midday - and is high up in the Derby betting.

"And he is an exciting colt for the yard, and one that has done really well from two to three. And he has given me a good feel in his work this spring.

"However, don't forget that he has only won a maiden, for all its promise.

"This race is a good starting point for a colt who will hopefully go on and make his mark in Group company, and it has been a stepping stone for some good horses in the past.

"But he meets two similarly promising maiden winners tomorrow, both of whom broke their duck with cut in the ground, and I imagine connections of all three runners will be keen not to bottom their horses in the conditions.

"So let's see how he gets on at Newbury, and go from there."

The race was won last year by subsequent French Oaks winner Star Of Seville.