Relief all round as Leopardstown fit to race

Leopardstown’s track was found fit for racing following a morning inspection meaning the Dublin Racing Festival will begin 24 hours later than originally scheduled.

Following heavy rain on Friday, Saturday’s scheduled card was put back 48 hours and will now take place on Monday.

It is top-class action all the way with the Irish Champion Hurdle, the Dublin Chase and the Ladbrokes Novice Chase featuring Final Demand all on the same card.

In a post on the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s X account clerk of the course Paddy Graffin said: “Thankfully for once this week the rain gods have been good to us.

“The hurdle track remains heavy, it is sloppy, loose ground so not holding in any way, if anything that is quite favourable but it is fit to race.

“The chase track is soft so racing thankfully goes ahead.

“I haven’t had a chance to look at a different hurdle line for tomorrow. I will update on that when I’ve seen it in daylight.

“Thankfully we go ahead today and we can look forward to a great day of racing.”