Haydock Racecourse are really up against it with the last bits of preparation taking place to get the track in tip top condition for Britains first Grade 1 jumps race of the season in the Betfair Chase.
The course took another blow over night as no rain fell and with the forecast up until the race being mostly dry meaning they have had to change the going description to good, good to soft in places from good to soft, good in places.
One of the big things in the lead up to this five field runner race was nearly all the horses that will be involved need some sort of cut in the ground and this going change threatens the trainers to withdraw the horses.
The race at this moment in time does include all five of the top class chasers and the potential spectacle that is set for Saturday will well and truly get the national hunt season going into full swing with this seasons Cheltenham Gold Cup winner most likely to come out of this race.
Clerk of the Course at Haydock Kirkland Tellwright doesn't think there will be anymore changes to the going ahead of the race and says the course is in great shape.
(Credit Racing Post) Tellwright said: "It's been dry overnight so we've changed the going to good, good to soft in places all round.
"It's lovely ground out there and I don't think the going will improve further than that.
"It's a fantastic race with five top quality chasers and we have to be delighted with the line-up."
The five runners that are currently set to go to post are: Might Bite 10/11, Native River 3/1, Bristol De Mai 7/1, Thistlecrack 10/1, Clan Des Obeaux 12/1.
With the ground being good and not suiting some of the runners especially Nigel Twiston-Davies' horse Bristol De Mai, who won this race last year by a mammoth 57 lengths on heavy ground, the trainer is set to walk the course tomorrow morning ahead of the Grade 1.
(Credit Racing Post) Twiston-Davies said: "I see the ground at Haydock has dried out slightly and hopefully a bit of rain will get there.
"If the ground gets any firmer his run would be in doubt but as long as it's the soft side of good, he'll be all right."