Champion Chase victor Energumene will get the chance to make his seasonal reappearance after this afternoon's meeting at Cork passed a morning inspection.
The Willie Mullins-trained Energumene is the headline act in the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase after romping to victory at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last term.
His planned return was under threat due to the current cold snap, but the track was declared fit for action earlier than the planned 8am inspection.
Val O'Connell, the IHRB clerk of the course, said: "Following a precautionary inspection at Cork this morning, I am happy to say that the track is fit for racing and the meeting will go ahead.
"The ground is yielding to soft."
RTÉ2 will broadcast the meeting.
Newcastle was not so fortunate though, with "hard ground" cited as the reason for cancellation following a 7.30am check.
Saturday's meeting at the track was called off shortly before the first race due to concerns from trainers and jockeys about conditions and the course reports "insufficient improvement" overnight.
📍@CorkRacecourse goes ahead
— IHRB Raceday information (@IHRBRaceday) December 11, 2022
🗣 Val O'Connell
🌱 Ground update ahead of racing Sunday
⏱️ First race 12.15pm
🏆 Featuring Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase
📺 Live on @Racingtv, @RTEracing pic.twitter.com/KuEdeMfXlr
Sunday's meeting at Punchestown was cancelled yesterday.
Clerk Of The Course, Brendan Sheridan said "Following overnight snow and a forecast for additional snow and severe frost tonight unfortunately we have had to cancel tomorrows meeting.
"As there is no improvement forecast through the next week with temperatures remaining below freezing the meeting will not be rescheduled in the coming days. A date for the rescheduled meeting will be announced on Monday."
