skip to main content

Punchestown call morning inspection ahead of Sunday's meeting

The threat of snow has forced officials into a morning inspection
The threat of snow has forced officials into a morning inspection

Sunday's meeting at Punchestown will have to pass an 8am inspection if it is to go ahead.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John is one of six runners set to go to post in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, which is the feature event on a seven-race card.

However, while the track is fit for action at present, the threat of snow has forced officials into a morning inspection.

Punchestown tweeted: "Punchestown to hold 8am track inspection due to the forecast of snow. The track is currently raceable with the ground soft to heavy."

Meanwhile, this afternoon's meeting at Navan will go ahead as scheduled after the course passed an 8am inspection.

Irish Turf Club officials called a morning check due to the threat of freezing temperatures overnight, but the card has been given the green light.

The seven-race fixture, which features the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Klairon Davis Novice Chase and the Foxrock Handicap Chase, is due to get under way at 12.20pm.

This afternoon's meeting at Aintree goes ahead as planned following a morning inspection but track officials will continue to monitor conditions.

Andrew Tulloch, clerk of the course at the Merseyside venue, announced a precautionary check for 8.30am due to the threat of snow overnight.

He is happy to give the fixture the green light, while issuing a slight warning about the possibility of further snow.

Elsewhere the National Hunt card at Chepstow was also given the green light following an 8am inspection.

The threat of frost overnight put the Monmouthshire track on alert, but clerk of the course Keith Ottesen was able to give the fixture the go-ahead without the need for a second check.

Read Next