'We're very happy with where we are' - Leopardstown on track to provide safe ground

Leopardstown is continuing to water the chase track before the Dublin Racing Festival with 12mm applied on Thursday and the same amount set to be added on Friday.

Willie Mullins has declared Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs for the Paddy Power-sponsored Irish equivalent on Saturday, with the going on the chase course yielding. It is yielding to soft, yielding in places on the hurdles track.

Leopardstown chief executive Tim Husbands said on Thursday that plenty of trainers and jockeys have already walked the course and have been pleased with how they found conditions.

Husbands said: "We're very happy with where we are at the moment with regard to ground. The chase course is only slightly quicker than the hurdles track so we're administering 12mm today and another 12mm tomorrow. A number of trainers and jockeys have already been here and they all seem very pleased with conditions. We're certainly content with where we are at the moment."

Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands: "A number of trainers and jockeys have already been here to walk the track and they all seem very pleased with conditions"Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

The next few days are expected to be mainly dry in the Leopardstown area with bright spells and a mild westerly breeze through Saturday before turning colder on Sunday with spells of sunshine.

Husbands said: "There is a threat of the odd sprinkle of rain on Saturday, but nothing major at all and I would say we will be mainly dry from now until the close of play on Sunday."

The sixth Dublin Racing Festival has once again attracted a stellar entry in the 15 races, and Husbands is expecting bumper crowds to attend.

He said: "The hospitality is all sold out and our general sales are tracking really well in relation to other years. I'm expecting big crowds both days and we are really looking forward to welcoming everybody to Leopardstown. The place looks fantastic and the atmosphere is sure to be brilliant. We're ready to rock."

Read more here:

Confirmed runners and riders for day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown 

State Man v Honeysuckle v Vauban: assessing a star-studded Irish Champion Hurdle 

Should you play or lay Willie Mullins' eight Dublin Racing Festival favourites? 

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