As the rain continues to laugh at us, there is no respite for punters trying to study the formbook and find winners.

Bad ground makes tipping more difficult. Inevitably, you focus on horses who have form on the soft, but there is no way of telling if a horse who has never run on bad ground, especially a juvenile, will actually handle it. Bad ground batters formbook consistency and breeding bloodlines can only suggest so much.

It’s also a shame that most trainers are mothballing their fast-ground animals until the sun starts shining. Will it ever?

Tonight’s Chepstow meeting has already been washed away and the incessant rain will almost certainly put more cards in jeopardy over the next few days. What price soft ground for the Coral Eclipse on Saturday?

The Esher forecast doesn’t look as bad as other parts of the UK but Sandown can become a real slog-fest if the rain does get in. As for the contenders, the more rain the better for Farhh, while Nathaniel and Crackerjack King won’t mind getting their toe in.

As for today, Catterick offers a reasonable afternoon card. Here are a few punting pointers:

Our Diane (2.20pm): Highly tried in her first two races, she has showed good speed, and despite a bad draw should go well. The ground would be a worry if it turns into a bog.

Deepest Blue (2.50pm): Progressive and nicely drawn so this looks like a good opportunity. Again, the ground the only concern.

Miss Ellany (3.30pm): Beautifully named. Hosed in at Beverley and could follow up.

Andhaar (4.40pm Worcester): Richard Phillips is enjoying a good spell and does well here. This one should cope with the conditions and was touched off last time.

Rossetti (9.05pm Kempton): Fallon rides for Fanshawe and this one is a course winner. Should improve markedly on his last two races.

Good luck!