Racing in Ireland this weekend depends on Fairyhouse tomorrow getting the green light, but the chances of that happening are hardly encouraging when they inspect there at 9.00 this morning.
The card scheduled for Naas today was abandoned late yesterday afternoon, despite initial hopes that racing could get the go-ahead.
The Naas manager Margaret McGuinness said: "There was torrential rain, 8mms in 90 minutes, and there was water lying on the track. The clerk of the course said the ground was so soft he was afraid it would be dangerous, so we thought it best to abandon it now than wait for a morning inspection."
Fairyhouse also was hit by heavy showers yesterday and the course manager, Roy Craigie, said he was "getting less confident" about the track passing the test.
"It was just about raceable this morning but there has been very heavy rain. There is a 9.00 inspection but what may happen is that we will inspect again on Sunday morning. The forecast, though, is terrible. Frost, snow, sleet, everything except sunshine," said Craigie.
Considering that the on the last two occasions this column has tipped Our Meg to win the scheduled meeting has been abandoned, it may be tempting fate to side with her again. But if Fairyhouse does go ahead, she must have a major chance in the opening maiden hurdle.
The Francis Flood string has been in sparkling form recently despite the recent disappointing news that To Your Honour is out for the rest of the season, and it must have been frustrating not to have had the chance to run Our Meg.
She ran a fine third over a trip that may have been too far at Punchestown and then her second to Beeper's Gale at Thurles was boosted by that horse's subsequent victory at Naas.
The dual bumper winner Copper Supreme and Jessica Harrington's Star Of The Orient will make matter difficult, but Our Meg should act on the going and the distance should also be suitable.
The most valuable race on the card is the £15,000 Medical Supply Handicap Chase, where Richard Dunwoody can increase what for him is a relatively low winners score for Ireland this term.
The former champion is concentrating slightly more on Britain as he chases Peter Scudamore's record for the most winners ridden by a jump jockey but he could have a couple of winners here if racing is possible.
Brian's Delight started favourite to win here on New Year's Day but blundered and unseated his rider at the 14th in the race won by Pinkpinkfizz, with Irish Light third.
Before that, Brian's Delight had won the Conyngham Cup and he should be perfectly at home over this trip. Pinkpinkfizz, in contrast, may appreciate further, and with Dunwoody on board, Brian's De- light's occasionally erratic jumping may not be such an issue.
Dunwoody is also on board the Noel Meade hurdle newcomer Oa Baldixie who should be up to making a winning debut in the Goosander Maiden Hurdle.
The Teal Handicap Hurdle could be a real teaser for those chasing the Jackpot, with the likes of Speed Board, Rossmill Native and Nibalda sure to have their supporters. Marchaway is another that cannot be ignored, especially if you take his win at Punchestown at face value. He had done little beforehand to encourage the belief that he could win as he did at Punchestown, but Marchaway won impressively and if in the same mood looks the one to beat.
Bottom weight Get Real can come out on top in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot today if the meeting gets the go ahead. Nicky Henderson's rapidly-improving eight-year-old has a tremendous chance of lifting this £45,000-added prize judged on his recent success over the course and distance.
Given a positive ride by Mick Fitzgerald, Get Real ran his four rivals into the ground, coming home 11 lengths clear of Celibate. It is no wonder that Get Real is market leader with all the leading bookmakers as well as with the sponsors.
Suited by soft ground and Ascot's right-handed circuit, he will take all the beating off bottom weight and carries the nap vote. Henderson knows what it takes to lift this competitive two-mile prize having saddled Big Matt to strike three years ago off a light weight.
Big Matt runs in the International Sports Betting Handicap Chase over an extra three-and-a-half furlongs on all Victor Chandler-sponsored card, but he has it all to do to concede 27lb to the inform Fourth In Line.
The Venetia Williams-trained 11-year-old thrashed Dantes Cavalier by a distance on heavy ground at Newbury two weeks ago. With similar conditions expected today, he will be hard to beat.
Tiutchev, an expensive faller at Kempton on St Stephen's Day, can recoup losses in the Victor Chandler For Football Handicap Hurdle. David Nicholson's chargehad earlier run out a convincing winner at Cheltenham and is a strong fancy for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury next month.
