Cork decide to inspect, but are optimistic of racing on Sunday
Speaking yesterday manager, Michael O’Neill, said: “We have no worries with the hurdle course, but do have some concerns with the chase course.
“A lot of rain fell here on Wednesday night, but the track took it well and we are raceable at the moment.
“More heavy rain is due to hit us tonight, so we will just have to wait and see how much we get. There is no point in messing and we will inspect on Sunday morning, but remain optimistic.”
The big attraction on Sunday is the three and a half mile paddypower.com Grand National and that is one of two contests on the card over fences, the other a beginners chase.
Cork is also due to race on Monday, a programme made up of five hurdle events and a bumper, and admission will be free.
Clonmel, lost to the weather yesterday, has been rescheduled for next Wednesday, November 18, with a 12.35 start.
The original entries will stand, with fresh declarations to be made on Tuesday morning. This is the biggest day of the season at the Tipperary venue, of course, with the valuable Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase as the feature.
Meanwhile the programmes for the two-day meeting at Punchestown on Saturday and Sunday have been re-jigged in an effort to optimise the possibility of both cards going ahead.
The only chase that will now take place on Saturday will be the three mile Event Power Risk Of Thunder Chase, which is run over the banks course and does not form part of the normal track.
The www.punchestown.com Handicap Chase has been cancelled, while the Bar One Racing Handicap Chase has been switched to Sunday.
The INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle, originally to be run on Sunday, will now be moved to Saturday.
“It has been a wet month and the ground is heavy but we are raceable,” said racecourse manager Richie Galway yesterday.
“We had 12 millimetres of rain on Wednesday night. We’ve had another five today and we are forecast to get up to 10 millimetres in all today.
“There is also the possibility of an additional 20 tomorrow and Saturday. The forecast for Sunday is better. It’s the next 24 hours that will tell us a lot.”
Sunday, of course, will see Willie Mullins take the wraps off Champion Hurdle favourite, Hurricane Fly, in the Grade 1 Dobbins and Madigans At Punchestown Hurdle.
Hurricane Fly will be ridden by Paul Townend, with Ruby Walsh opting to partner Master Minded at Cheltenham.
The exciting Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Europe is also set to run on Sunday, in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase.
