Leopardstown “cautiously optimistic” for Sunday’s meeting

Officials at Leopardstown are “cautiously optimistic” about the chances of Sunday’s card going ahead.

The first day of the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday was called off following a morning inspection, with 17 millimetres of rain overnight making the track unraceable following a very wet week.

That card, highlighted by the Irish Gold Cup, has been switched to Monday with the original second day hinging on an 8am inspection on raceday.

Leopardstown’s chief executive Mark Clayton said: “They are working away on the track. When we went out there this morning it was unraceable after 17 millimetres of rain overnight, with 100mm during the week.

“We were expecting 4-5mm this morning but we have had about 2mm and we are forecast a dry day today and then through until Monday.

“Given the forecast we would be cautiously optimistic about Sunday’s card but we will have an inspection at 8am.”

Peter Roe, head of HRI racecourses, told the Racing Post on Saturday afternoon: "I've just walked the course with the track team here at Leopardstown and we're getting there. We're still the wrong side of the line but we're a lot closer to the line than we were this morning."It's still not raceable, but it's getting there. It's been a drying day and there is a dry forecast so a full night of Leopardstown soakage should get us to where we want to be in the morning."We're very hopeful and for the first time all week the weather forecast is on our side for once."

Sunday’s card is due to feature an Irish Champion Hurdle clash between Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, with the two-mile contest one of four scheduled Grade One events.