The horse racing week ahead and a look back at the weekend

The week starts with some bad news as Windsor's fixture this afternoon has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track. The good news is today's meeting at Gowran goes ahead after the track passed an inspection this morning; the ground is heavy. They also run as Musselburgh, Yarmouth and Wolverhampton though the weather is still taking its toll with 19 horses withdrawn at Yarmouth, all bar one due to the going which is heavy.

The meeting at Haydock Park Racecourse on Friday has already been cancelled due to a waterlogged track. The BHA has announced that a fixture will take place on the evening of Friday 18 October at Wolverhampton.

Looking ahead to Champions Day at Ascot this weekend Clerk of the course Chris Stickels has described the conditions as "the softest and wettest I've ever known them". I fully expect the races on the round course to be switched to the inner track and that will lead to slightly different distances for some races so make sure you keep yourself up to date with developments. One thing is for sure with the likelihood of at least some rain every day this week I won’t be advising backing any fast ground horses ante-post!

Star Catcher heads the market for the 1m4f Group One Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at the start of the week at 5-2 best and she is one that is certainly on my mind having won the G.2 Ribblesdale on soft at the track earlier this year. Stable mate Anapurna is also still entered but having won the 1m6f G1 Qatar Prix de Royallieu on soft going Arc weekend I would be surprised if she runs though the owners have said she might before retiring her. Also still in at this stage are Fleeting and Magical but they also have also been busy lately.

As for the weekend just gone Saturday was a punting disaster for me but Pinatubo comfortably defeated Arizona in the 7f G.1 Dewhurst Stakes and is now unbeaten in six runs and is 5-4 best with Betfred for next years 2,000 Guineas. Speaking in the Racing Post's Monday Jury, trainer Charlie Appleby said: "A starting point over a mile will be perfect for him and I see no reason why a mile and a quarter shouldn't be within his compass. Most importantly, we're confident he'll get the mile no problem, and from thereon once we've got through the Guineas we can start to map out a plan."