Sea The Stars (right): last year's brilliant winner of the Irish Champion

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Persistent rain softens going at Leopardstown

THE going at Leopardstown has softened to good after persistent rain before the start of Saturday's Group 1 card.

After on and off showers throughout the morning, the going at Leopardstown was changed from good to firm.

At Haydock, clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright reported "a dry night". Unlike at Leopardstown there are no showers forecast, with Tellwright adding: "We have a dry, warm day forecast.

"The going on the five and six furlong course is good to firm, while over a mile or greater the going is good, good to soft in places."