Leopardstown team hopeful

Officials at Leopardstown are optimistic of staging Sunday’s prestigious meeting featuring the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

Although the going was today described as heavy, the track is currently raceable and virtually all the snow that fell on Monday has gone.

“We had some snow on the track yesterday but that has virtually all gone at this stage,” said Tom Burke, general manager at the Dublin course.

“We had sleety rain last night which has got rid of most of it.

“The track would be rather heavy though and we have a mixed forecast for the week.

“It’s quite bright here today but there are bits of sleet more than snow possible later today and tomorrow.

“Then it is set to dry up through to Saturday, but there will be a northerly wind coming down which makes it very cold.

“At that stage there is the chance of snow in the north of Ireland with only a slight risk of it getting down this far, then milder air coming in on Sunday.

“It’s difficult to call but we’d be very hopeful at the moment that the forecast will work out in our favour.

“I was definitely surprised that most of the snow had gone as we were forecast to have more snow lying this morning.

“We are monitoring the weather as we go through the week and see how we are shaping up.”