If anyone was as inaccurate in their job as weather forecasters - even the "specialists" employed by racecourses - then they would be collecting their p45s sooner rather than later.
Okay, it is not an exact science but I set absolutely no stall in the forecasts issued by the TV bods and the tracks.
I'm not saying that they are geared towards leaning on the side of positivity - though how many times have we heard the latter say that "any rain is set to clear by the first" - but clearly you wouldn't want to deter potential race goers from attending.
Bring back TV's best-ever weather combo of Wincey Wills and Roland Rat is what I say.
And just so it happens Roland and his fellow pals in the Ratcave - Kev The Gerbil, Errol the Hamster, little brother Reggie, and one-time squeeze Glenis The Guinea Pig - have been in touch to say the ground at Chester will definitely be bottomless on Friday after unexpected downpours today, and to get stuck into Marcret in the Betfair-sponsored opener in the 14:10.
Odds of 8.07/1 look fair in a race where most of the horses have question marks surrounding them, mostly on account on their ability to act in sewer-like, wet conditions. Sorry, couldn't resist it.
If it did dry out to any meaningful degree overnight then you could make a strong case for plenty in here - notably my old mate Brazos in first-time blinkers in stall one - but working along the lines of soft ground then not many came across my radar.
And Marcret tops the list after a promising return at Haydock, where he clearly didn't get the best of runs up the inner and so wasn't subjected to a hard race as a result.
The handicapper, unsurprisingly, left him on the same mark here but he still appeals as a feasibly-weighted horse coming back to his favourite stomping ground, and both ground and draw hold no terrors for him.
He is usually held up but it could be that this keen sort goes forward from stall two today, and he has made all around here in the past.
Best-when-fresh Navajo Chief was another well-drawn, soft ground winner to make the shortlist, as was Arnold Lane, but I will go in one-handed here.
As is often the case in these small field conditions events - especially on ground which some of the market leaders haven't raced on - the Betfair Dee Stakes at 14:40, doesn't float my boat.
And the same applies to the Ormonde Stakes at 15:10 though it must be said that Tac De Boistron did come close to being a rare short-priced selection for this column at around the 9-4 mark.
There are few better stayers out there given soft ground than this strong-traveller. He is a course winner who goes well when fresh and has a lot going for him, so I couldn't put you off him. But he does have a 7lb penalty for his Group 1 success, and there are two or three in here that you can put against him as a result. A reluctant pass.
I was going to put up Rita's Boy in the 13:45 as an in-form horse who acts with plenty of cut, but he is drawn in seven and is on a rising mark, so this is another no-bet race for me, I am afraid.
So I am going to extend my brief to RUK's 16:20 and stick up Tagula Night at odds of 11.010/1.
He has yet to fully convince that he lasts home in a strongly-run 7f race but if he is going to be effective over this trip then it is here, and he has a lot going for him.
He is one from one at the track, is well drawn in three, likes soft ground and shaped well on his first start back this year at Kempton in March. If he does last home, then he won't be beaten far, if at all.
English Summer looks sure to go well in the 17:25 but I'll just stick with the two Friday plays.
Be lucky, rat fans.
Recommended Bets
Back Marcret at odds of 8.07/1 in the 14:10 at Chester
Back Tagula Night at 11.010/1 in the 16:20 at Chester