Mantles Prince to raise temperatures

Racing at Punchestown tomorrow is likely to depend on a morning inspection with the forecasters predicting overnight temperatures to fall to as low as minus four.

The Punchestown racing manager Richie Galway reported yesterday: "We are okay at the moment but based on the forecast we will probably have to look at it again to see if we will inspect.

"All the fences are protected against the frost but we have prepared the second chase course just in case. Things are supposed to go down to as low as minus three or four so it depends on how quickly it warms up."

If it does get the green light, there will be an understandable element of post-festival blues about the fare on offer but maybe Mantles Prince can bring a touch of class to proceedings.

The former smart hurdler has his second start over fences in the Beginners Chase and although there isn't too much encouragement to be gleaned from his run behind Dante's Bank at Cork, this does not look a very good race.

Darapour, goes in the Kilteel Handicap Hurdle where the weights are headed by His Song. Both may have to settle for minor money behind the course and distance winner Native View.