Leopardstown expect good ground for Champion Stakes
Although the Dublin venue has been hit by significant rainfall over the past week, the forecast is brighter for the coming days and Joyce is expecting the ground to dry out and believes the going could be good come raceday.
“The forecast for the week is quite consistent, which is good, and we aren’t forecast any major bands of rain,” said Joyce.
“We had plenty of rain last week, but things are already drying out towards good to soft. There will be showers around this week, but at this stage we’d be quite hopeful we’d have the word good in the going description come next Saturday.
“If we don’t get much rain at all, we’re probably shaping up towards genuine good ground, but we’ll just have to see what arrives.”
Joyce is anticipating a busy afternoon at the Foxrock venue and is excited about how the Group One feature is shaping up.
“It should be a busy day and it’s always an important day in people’s calendars,” said Joyce. “There is the hurling final at Croke Park on Sunday and anyone wearing their county jersey will get half price admission to Leopardstown on Saturday.
“The big race is shaping up really well. Nathaniel and Snow Fairy look like they are coming over and it should be really competitive, which is great as it keeps the excitement up for everyone.”
Meanwhile Sendmylovetorose is on course to put her 100% record on the line in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Trainer Andy Oliver will supplement the filly at a cost of 22,500 euros for the Group One contest over seven furlongs.
She has already won the Group Two Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket and the Group Three Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh after a Navan maiden success on her debut.
“All’s well with her and she’s on target for the Moyglare. That’s still what we’re hoping,” said the County Tyrone handler.
