Punchestown and Warwick pass inspections for Thursday fixtures

Jumps action will take place on the last day of the year after Punchestown and Warwick passed morning inspections for Thursday's meetings.

With Uttoxeter abandoning earlier in the week, there were fears of a blank day of jumping before Punchestown got the all clear at 8am and Warwick followed at 9am.

Thursday racecards

Following the Punchestown inspection, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board tweeted: "Punchestown is fit for racing and the fixture scheduled for today goes ahead.

"The ground remains heavy. Possibility of snow showers this morning. Rain and sleet forecast through the afternoon."

The highlight at Punchestown is the tote.ie Punchestown Hurdle (2.05) with red-hot trainer Willie Mullins bidding for a fourth consecutive win in the race.

2.05 Punchestown: 'I haven't lost faith in him' - Brassil hoping City Island can bounce back

Mullins saddles 2018 winner Bachasson, successful on his reappearance in the Clonmel Oil Chase, and Scarpeta, while 2018 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner City Island also features in the six-runner contest.

Warwick's seven-race fixture is set to start at 12.16, with the ground described as soft, heavy in places.

The Thursday schedule is completed by all-weather cards at Lingfield and Newcastle.

Read more:

Kempton and Wincanton pick up cancelled Cheltenham contests

Owners to be barred from English racecourses in Tier 4 from Friday

Al Boum in great shape but Tramore test is going to be much tougher says Mullins

Watch live races through the Racing Post website. Log in to your bookmaker account via the bookmaker button at the top of the page and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here