HORSE RACING: After almost five inches of rain in a fortnight, and 10mms in one hour alone yesterday, the Punchestown authorities are praying the skies above their track have squeezed themselves dry.
Racing manager Richie Galway admitted yesterday: "The track wouldn't take much more. We are just hoping the worst of it is over."
Racing in Ireland this weekend appears to rest on that hope and there will be a 7.00 inspection this morning to see if today's fixture can go ahead.
The ground at the Co Kildare track is officially "heavy" at the moment.
"We will be keeping a close eye on it. The forecasters tell us they are not expecting the same amounts of rain as we've had but with the weather the way it is, they can't be certain," Galway said.
"As things stand, the hurdles track is perfectly raceable, with fresh ground.
"On the chase course we are more concerned about places around the third and fourth last fences," he added.
Not surprisingly the forecast is for "mixed" weather but punters will be hoping that at least the first half of the two-day fixture gets the green light.
A pair of Grade Twos and the Grand National Trial are backed up by the first hurdling appearance of Mutakarrim in the maiden hurdle. The stakes winner is now owned by Michael Smurfit but will hardly be suited by extremely testing conditions.
In fact, a better option could be the consistent bumper winner, Jenniferjo, who looked unlucky in a Gowran contest last week.
On that same day This Is Serious took advantage of a third-last fence fall by the The Bunny Boiler to win the Thyestes.
Now the Charlie Swan runner goes in the National Trial with the trip and the going bound to suit.
A 16lb hike in the weights certainly does not, however, and with the improving Timbera and the Meade pair, Woodenbridge Natif and Church Place, in opposition, the topweight has a stiff task.
Fanion de Neulliac is just out of the handicap but anything near the bottom of the handicap is surely going to be a big advantage and Arthur Moore's horse also has a claim off his back.
Moore could also be on the mark in the Tied Cottage Novice Chase with Masalarian, who ran fifth to Moscow Flyer in the Denny at Christmas.
David Casey takes the mount, with Barry Cash on the Limerick Graded winner, Ellenjay, and the Moore runner is preferred to Big-And-Bold and Royal Jake.
The Pierse runner-up Native Scout has to give weight away in a competitive looking novice hurdle that could go to Petersham, who was unlucky last time when hampered by Ground Ball at Navan.
