Tomorrow’s National Hunt meeting at Southwell and Friday’s jumps card at Wetherby will need to survive inspections to go ahead.

While the Flat season is now under way, the persistent rain is playing havoc with the new campaign, with the meeting at Nottingham on Wednesday abandoned.

Catterick’s card did go ahead after passing an inspection but there is no sign of the wet weather abating and Southwell has called a precautionary check for 7.30am.

The course is currently raceable, but should more rain than the forecast showers fall overnight, then there may be an issue.

There is a jumps meeting at Warwick where the ground is heavy but no inspection is currently planned.

It is a similar story at Fontwell on Friday but at Wetherby there are “multiple areas of standing water/waterlogged ground”.

An inspection will be held at 3pm on Thursday after 7mm of rain fell on Tuesday night and a further 6mm arrived through Wednesday up to 1pm. The forecast for Thursday is mainly dry but another 11mm is forecast for Thursday night.

Kelso are also keeping an eye on the situation ahead of their Premier meeting on Saturday.

A post on social media read: “We are closely monitoring the weather conditions with regard to racing on Saturday. We will be in a better position to assess the impact of today’s rainfall by Thursday morning, when declarations will be made for Saturday’s races.”

Valvano followed in some illustrious hoofprints as he made an impressive start to his career in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Nottingham.

The top-class King Of Steel made a successful debut in a division of the the extended one-mile contest 12 months ago, while his St Leger-winning stablemate Eldar Eldarov was in the winner’s circle in 2021.

And while Valvano has a long way to go to scale those heights, the son of Night Of Thunder looks certain to go on to better things judged on this facile success in the hands of Hector Crouch.

Plenty was expected of the Ralph Beckett-trained youngster as an 8-11 favourite, but those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns as after moving to the lead entering the final furlong, Valvano fairly sprinted clear in the testing conditions to pull six lengths clear of his toiling rivals.

Beckett, who won a division of the race with subsequent Derby participant Artistic Star last year, said of his latest victor: “He’s a nice horse who loved the ground and it was a good effort.”

On whether he could run again this season, the trainer added: “We’ll see what happens next, he could.”

Crouch was clearly impressed by the performance, telling Racing TV: “He’s very raw. He made it look straightforward because he’s got a lot of natural ability, but he took a bit of managing and organising and he’s keen to get on with things.

“He ran a little bit green, but once we straightened up he’s very talented. Amongst all the greenness he’s very responsive and he’s keen to learn.

“I think he’s got a bit of a fiery streak in him and is not short of speed, so I wouldn’t be in a rush to step him up to a mile and a quarter in his immediate future, but I’m sure he will stay that far.”

Beckett completed a quickfire double with another newcomer in the following EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, with Treasure carrying the King and Queen’s colours to a clear-cut win under Ben Curtis.

“She was immaculately behaved and has a great mind. She was a little bit behind the bridle, it’s tough going out there, but she learnt as we went around,” said the jockey.

“She loved the ground and the further she went, the better she went.”

George Boughey’s Mr Alan (3-1 joint-favourite) landed the Watch Irish Racing On Racing TV Handicap for the second year in succession, pipping Belhaven by a nose under William Buick.

Hollie Doyle enjoyed a double on the card, booting home William Stone’s Tipsy Tiger (15-2) in the Join Racing TV Now Nursery and the Jack Channon-trained Desperate Hero in the Watch On Racing TV Handicap.

Going The Distance could have a bright future having flourished in the mud to claim the British EBF Future Stayers Oath Novice Stakes on a wet afternoon at Nottingham.

Trained by Ralph Beckett, the son of Lope De Vega started his career by finishing third to David Menuisier’s Futurity Trophy-bound Devil’s Point at Ffos Las and then returned to the Welsh venue to open his account with a victory which was much more cosy than the winning distance of a neck would suggest.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite to add to his tally at Colwick Park, the Marc Chan-owned youngster took advantage of the late absence of the well-regarded Midair to hold off Hughie Morrison’s newcomer Surrey Fire at the finish.

“He knew his job today and I thought after Ffos Las (his first start) he would know his job,” said winning jockey Rossa Ryan.

“He was good (last time) when Laura (Pearson) rode him and he impressed me today, he’s just a good, honest horse. When I gave him the option to go, he stuck his head down and galloped and he doesn’t overdo things, he just jumps and travels at whatever momentum you want him at.

“He’s perfect really to ride and he’s done it well and I would say he looks like he has a bit to grow.

“I don’t think heavy ground is essential for him but he’s able to quicken on it. I imagine a trip next year won’t be a problem to him.”

The victory was part two of a double for the jockey who had earlier claimed the opening Trustatrader Apply Today EBF Novice Stakes aboard World Of Darcy for John Ryan.

Second in the National Stakes earlier in the season, the Soldier’s Call colt was in action over seven furlongs in the Tattersalls Stakes only two weeks ago, but thrived for the drop in class to register a confidence boosting success at 7-2.

The winning trainer said: “He’s only a small horse but his heart is in the right place and he can knuckle down in all sorts of ground. I don’t think he liked it really but was good enough to get through it.

“When we ran him over seven, Luke (Morris, jockey) said drop him back to six and get him some confidence because he had had a few hard days at work. Luke was right and Rossa gave him the perfect ride there.”

World Of Darcy holds an entry in York’s Rockingham Stakes on Saturday afternoon and that Listed event is one option connections will consider.

John Ryan added: “We’ve got a big entry at the weekend but we’ll look at that and see what the ground does. I think he won easily enough but the ground does drag it out of him and Rossa said he did empty out quick on that ground. But we’ll see how he recovers and make a decision tomorrow.”

Harry Eustace’s Divine Comedy (4-1) continued her rise through the ranks by picking up her third win of the season in the Trustatrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Fillies’ Handicap, while there was a first success for the William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained Go Daddy (7-2), who showed plenty of heart to pick up the British Stallion Studs EBF Nursery Handicap.

“That was brilliant and we thought we had deserved a win earlier in the season,” said Grassick.

“William had selected him from the breeze-ups and did a fantastic job of going and securing the horse. He is busy buying new ones at the sales and will be delighted.

“Its a lovely story for the owners. They have been with William a very long time and this means a lot to them. They’ve had a lot of nice horses and lost a horse earlier this year. So to have a horse go and do this for them has really helped keep the dream alive for everybody and it will mean a lot to William. I’m sure he will have a tear in his eye at the sales.”

The ground deteriorating to heavy helped William Stone’s Dashing Roger (7-2 favourite) make all for a five-and-a-half-length triumph in the Trustatrader For Tradespeople You Can Trust Handicap.

“He’s just been waiting for this ground,” said Stone.

“He loves soft or heavy ground and it’s hard to find. If we can find the ground, he will keep running.”

David O’Meara’s Stressfree (100-30 favourite) built on a second at Ayr recently to open his UK account in the Trustatrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Handicap, while the concluding Trustatrader You Can Trust Our Traders Apprentice Handicap went the way of the Olly Williams-trained Foursome (5-1).

Hayley Turner says she has no plans to retire having edged closer to 1,000 career winners aboard Club Manager at Nottingham.

Turner now requires five to reach the landmark number and had a willing partner at Colwick Park in the form of Andrew Balding’s four-year-old, who bettered his second at Bath last month in the testing going.

The former champion apprentice previously hung up her saddle at the end of the 2015 season only to return the following year and the 40-year-old is in no rush to depart the weighing room for a second time.

“I’m enjoying it so much,” said Turner.

“I realised when I retired before you have to actually work quite hard.

“I’ve got five to go (for 1,000) and I’m getting there slowly.”

Club Manager was sent off the 11-4 favourite for the Follow @worldpool On X Handicap, with the three-year-old thriving in his first try over two miles.

Turner added: “He’s a well-bred horse being a half-brother to Side Glance and he loved the ground and travelled very easy on it.

“Probably getting to the front two out wasn’t ideal as he can be a little bit lazy, but I kept him up to his work and he did it well.”

Tom Ward’s Our Golden One (4-1) put her experience to good use as she prevailed over the John and Thady Gosden-trained debutant Beeley in the opening HKJC Riding High Together EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Probert said: “She was very tough. I just wanted to put her to sleep early on and do it the right way round – she was a bit keen in the early stages at Sandown and looked a touch unlucky when needing room quite late.

“She ran well in defeat there and the winner has held up her form by running quite well in a Group One.

“I think she will stay further next year and is very versatile in terms of what ground she will go on. She’s moved on that ground today like it was good ground, so she’s a likeable filly and on the improve.”

In-form trainer Ben Brookhouse took the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap with 100-30 favourite Ray Vonn, but was denied a double when the hat-trick seeking I Still Have Faith could only finish second behind an on-song Dubai Souq (5-2) in the concluding worldpool.hkjc.com Handicap.

Saeed bin Suroor’s six-year-old had been without a victory since November 2021, but relished the testing conditions in the hands of Kieran Shoemark to register the second course-and-distance triumph of his career.

“He ran away with me really, I was a bit of a passenger,” said the winning jockey.

“He skipped clear and loves that ground. They told me to kick just before they got to me and I was a bit concerned about doing that as I thought it would be too much too early.

“But he’s a genuine type and just kept galloping. He’s won decisively so you would like to think he’s well handicapped.”

The HKIR In December Handicap went the way of the Kevin Frost-trained Spoof (9-4 favourite), who once again proved there is plenty left in the tank.

It was the eight-year-old’s fourth win since joining the Newark-based handler late last year and Frost could not hide his delight in the stalwart sprinter.

“He’s done us proud and won us plenty of prize-money,” said Frost

“The key to him is getting some soft or heavy ground. He will go on ground others won’t entertain.

“He’s a tough old lad and a typical sprinter. He’s good for me as he keeps me on my toes and you have to think about what you are doing with him every single day. You can’t do the same yesterday as you do today. You have to be mixing it up and keeping his mind right.

“He’s great and been a good old stick for us.”

There was also a fitting success for Tom Marquand on the card as he partnered Richard Price’s 14-1 shot Rhubarb to victory in the World Pool At Newmarket This Saturday Handicap.

“She’s not had much go her way this season and I had a horror story on her at Windsor,” said Marquand.

“She’s had a couple of races like that but it was nice to roll back the years and ride a winner for Richard because, to be fair, when I first started he was one of the trainers I rode the most winners for alongside Tony Carroll and of course Richard Hannon.

“It’s always a pleasure riding him a winner.”

Poniros could have an exciting future having rubberstamped a successful reunion between Ralph Beckett and owners Amo Racing with an impressive winning debut at Nottingham.

Horses in the purple silks of Kia Joorabchian’s racing operation were a regular sight under the Kimpton Down handler’s name previously, but trainer and owner split midway through the 2021 season with the horses dispersed to other stables.

Beckett remained absent from Amo Racing’s roster of trainers for the 2022 season, but saddling his first runner in over two years for the owners, he enjoyed a winning return to the ranks with the promising son of Golden Horn, who justified 7-4 favouritism in the Bet With The World On Saturday EBF Maiden Stakes.

Immediately sent forward by Hector Crouch, he displayed a professional attitude in testing conditions at Colwick Park and made all for a taking length-and-three-quarters victory over Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Salamanca.

“He’s a nice colt and has showed up well at home,” said Beckett.

“That will probably be him finished for the year, he is still quite a weak individual, but he is a horse we like and one for the future we think.

“He’s been very straightforward since he arrived with us – he went there knowing his job because he has been so straightforward.

“First-time winners are always nice.”

Prince Alex’s five-race winning-run and Meu Amor’s Listed Eternal Stakes success were the highlights of Beckett’s previous time among the Amo training ranks and the in-form trainer was delighted to kick off his second spell with an exciting winner for the owners.

“I enjoyed training for Kia when it was going well and hopefully this is a nice horse back with us again,” continued Beckett.

“We stayed friends throughout and it’s nice to have a nice horse for him again.”

Poniros’ jockey Hector Crouch was also impressed with the performance of the youngster, as he defied both inexperience and a notorious headwind to get on the scoresheet.

He said: “He’s a lovely horse. I didn’t want to make the running, but he jumped well and no one was there. There’s a fierce headwind so he’s done well under the circumstances to keep going and he showed a really good attitude.

“I’ve only sat on him once at home and we did a piece of work on the grass. He did everything the right way round and is likeable. He hasn’t done too much at home, he’s just a really nice type.

“He has the right attitude to stay and the pedigree as well and he’s a really likeable type.”

Karl Burke took the wraps off another exciting two-year-old at Nottingham when Beautiful Diamond scorched the turf in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

A £360,000 breeze-up purchase, the daughter of Twilight Son was easy to back all morning before late money saw her go off the 100-30 second favourite.

Having broke smartly from the stalls under Clifford Lee, she was travelling smoothly throughout behind Rainyniteingeorgia.

When Lee decided it was time to make a move, the response was immediate and she shot clear to win by three and a half lengths.

Burke is well stocked in the juvenile division this season and saddled the first two home in the Listed Marygate Stakes at York over five furlongs in Got To Love A Grey and Dorothy Lawrence, leaving some decisions to be made around his Queen Mary Stakes contenders.

“I was delighted with that, she’s obviously a very smart filly with a high cruising speed,” said Burke.

“Clifford gave her a good ride and she’s had a very easy introduction there, it couldn’t have gone much better.

“I didn’t feel any extra pressure because of the price tag because I didn’t actually buy her! Richard Brown, who buys a lot for Sheikh Rashid (owner) bought her, so I’d say he was feeling the pressure more than me but he was delighted, and relieved as well I think.

“Got To Love A Grey will definitely go to Ascot. I was pretty sure she was going Queen Mary, but I’ll have her chat with the Middleham Park guys (owners) as Beautiful Diamond looked a little bit special there and Got To Love A Grey would stay six furlongs.

“They are two very good fillies and I wouldn’t like to split them at this stage and Elite Status is in great form too since winning the National Stakes, he’ll be going to Ascot as well.”

Betfair and Paddy Power introduced the winner at 6-1 for the Queen Mary.