Leopardstown 'optimistic' about DRF going ahead despite course being hit with 58mm of rain in a day

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Officials at Leopardstown are optimistic this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival will go ahead despite significant rain falling at the track, which left the course waterlogged in places and unraceable on Tuesday morning after the effects of Storm Chandra.

The two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday features eight Grade 1 races, including the Irish Gold Cup, which is set to include Galopin Des Champs and Inothewayurthinkin.

A statement on Tuesday morning said parts of the track were waterlogged following 58mm of rain in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 165mm over the past 12 days, although the heaviest rain is forecast to have passed.

Peter Roe, head of racing for HRI-owned tracks, said on Tuesday afternoon: "We had 58mm in the last 24 hours versus a forecast 60mm for the entire week. The track was waterlogged at the lowest point of the track at the Foxrock entrance. We have already seen a significant drop in the water levels and are optimistic ahead of the weekend providing the forecast is correct.’’

Storm Chandra prompted a nationwide yellow weather warning in Ireland, with major flooding reported across Dublin.

Leopardstown clerk of the course Paddy Graffin added: “I'm going to look at the course tomorrow and things look a bit more favourable. I'm hopeful that the drains and mother nature will do their thing. The worst of the rain is predicted to be now behind us."

Concerns remain for Sandown's hurdle course ahead of SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sandown, which stages the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase on Saturday, faces an inspection at 8am on Thursday, with further inspections possible on Friday and Saturday. The £100,000 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle would be lost if the hurdles course, which is under particular threat, is deemed unfit for racing.

There is a risk of showers on Friday, although Saturday is forecast to be predominantly dry. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said on Tuesday evening: “We’ve been dry since midday on Tuesday and we’ve been left with waterlogged ground on both courses, and certainly a greater volume on the hurdles course. We wouldn’t have raced here this afternoon on either course.

“Friday has the potential of 5-6mm, which isn’t insignificant, and Saturday should be predominantly dry with a shower risk.

“The decision on whether we go to an all-chase card will not be made until 8am on Thursday, ahead of declarations. Whatever route we go down, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of further inspections over Friday and Saturday if it does turn wet.”

Leicester’s meeting on Wednesday was cancelled after the track failed an inspection on Tuesday morning following 6mm of rain overnight and further heavy rain forecast.

Clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: “We couldn’t take a lot of rain and the inevitable has happened. I needed the forecast to be wrong but we had 6mm overnight and easily had another 6mm already this morning. We raced on it last week and it got battered, which saturated the ground and it has become completely waterlogged.”

Exeter’s jumps meeting on Wednesday was cancelled earlier this week, while Wincanton’s card on Thursday is under threat following 28mm of rain overnight from Monday into Tuesday. An inspection is scheduled for Wednesday at 2.30pm.

Next Wednesday’s Fairyhouse fixture has also been cancelled with races from that card, which was due to be run on the inside track, added to Tuesday's meeting. Further showers are forecast at the course and the mares’ maiden hurdle and handicap hurdle have been moved to Tuesday’s card to form a seven-race fixture.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board issued a statement on X from clerk of the course Brian Hamilton, which read: “Following the decision to cancel last Saturday’s fixture at Fairyhouse, we’ve had another 51mm of rain at the track over the last few days. 

“With further rain forecast this week and to allow all stakeholders to plan accordingly, we have made the early decision to cancel the two chase races on Tuesday’s card and to cancel the fixture due to take place on the inside track on Wednesday.

“The mares' maiden hurdle and the handicap hurdle that were scheduled to be run on Wednesday will now be moved to Tuesday to form a seven-race card. Details on a new date for Wednesday’s card will be issued by Horse Racing Ireland in due course."

Weather outlook

Wednesday

Dundalk (AW)
Kempton (AW)
Exeter CANCELLED
Leicester CANCELLED

Thursday

Ayr Good to soft, soft in places
Chelmsford (AW)
Lingfield (AW)
Thurles Soft, soft to heavy in places for the hurdle course and soft to heavy on the chase course 
Wincanton Inspection at 2.30pm, heavy, waterlogged in places

Friday

Catterick Soft, heavy in places 
Dundalk (AW) 
Ffos Las Heavy
Southwell (AW) 
Wolverhampton (AW) 

Saturday

Leopardstown Heavy, waterlogged in places
Lingfield (AW) 
Musselburgh Good to soft
Newcastle (AW) 
Sandown inspection at 8am on Thursday, Soft, heavy in places chase course,  heavy, soft in places (waterlogged in places) hurdle course
Wetherby Soft

Sunday

Leopardstown Heavy, waterlogged in places
Market Rasen Good to soft, soft in places
Musselburgh Good to soft 

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