Clerk optimistic course will pass 8am check

Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course at Punchestown, is optimistic the track will pass an 8am inspection.

Officials at Punchestown announced the news of an inspection on Saturday evening due to the threat of overnight frost. The temperature could get down as low as -4C but Sheridan is confident the fixture will go ahead.

Sheridan said: "I spoke with the Met office and they expect temperatures to get down to -3C or maybe even -4C overnight but hopefully temperatures will rise in time for racing to go ahead. We are optimistic and are just erring on the side of side of caution with the inspection."

The course is currently raceable with the ground described as soft to heavy on all tracks.