Punchestown cancelled as Lingfield's jumps card gets all clear

There was mixed news on the inspection front on Monday morning with Punchestown cancelled but Lingfield's jumps meeting getting the go-ahead.

With Storm Brendan set to sweep across parts of Britain and Ireland, Punchestown officials called off the seven-race card on safety grounds.

The track's CEO Conor O'Neill tweeted: "Following a course inspection this morning and having consulted with Met Éireann, the fixture has been cancelled.

"Due to the status orange weather warning that is currently in place for the Kildare area and with Met Éireann predicting that winds will be at their strongest during scheduled race times, the fixture is cancelled due to safety concerns."

Punchestown's card has subsequently been rescheduled for Wednesday, with the first race starting at 12.30, and the course is offering free entry to all racegoers.

Lingfield officials were concerned 3-4mm of rain could put them in trouble but only 1mm had fallen around the time of the inspection.

Clerk of the course George Hill tweeted: "Racing goes ahead: precautionary inspection passed. Heavy (few wet areas – raceable) (GoingStick 4.3). 1mm rain early this morning, now stopped. Forecast: chance of a few light showers around 12noon, wind picking up this afternoon, 20mph (gusts up to 35mph during racing)."

Heavy rain and high winds are forecast for large parts of Britain and Ireland and officials at Wolverhampton's evening all-weather fixture will monitor conditions with gusts of 48mph predicted for late afternoon.

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