RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:HENRY DE BROMHEAD all but ruled out a late switch to Leopardstown's Lexus Chase for his star performer Sizing Europe after freezing conditions yesterday claimed the King George VI Chase.
Both Sizing Europe and Forpadydeplasterer were at Kempton over Christmas, ready and able to run in the King George, only for the track to fail an inspection yesterday afternoon.
The King George, and the Grade One Christmas Hurdle, will now take place at Kempton on January 15th.
It was just the latest blow after the meeting’s original date yesterday was ruled out on Christmas Eve due to the sub-zero weather.
The Irish hopes were preparing to return home yesterday evening, and although both hold entries in the Lexus Chase which is currently scheduled to take place at Leopardstown on Thursday, no decision has been taken by either camp.
“My only plan right now is to get a ferry home,” De Bromhead said yesterday.
“I would say it is highly unlikely he will run in the Lexus. He will have travelled over and back in 72 hours and that will have taken a lot out of him.”
The Co Waterford-based trainer added: “I have no idea what we will do. It looks like if they are going to reschedule the King George. It might be into the New Year. We’ll have to see.”
Tom Cooper was also making the long journey back to his Kerry base yesterday and said: “I have no idea about the Lexus right now. We’ll see what happens. We have to get back first.”
Kempton clerk of the course Barney Clifford finally had to admit defeat in his battle to stage the King George and the Christmas Hurdle on a rearranged card yesterday afternoon as the weather turned against him again.
“The temperature got down to -7C overnight, a degree worse than we had been forecast.
“However, whereas we were forecast 1C and 2C during Sunday, it hasn’t got above -2C and was still -5C in the middle of the morning. Not only are the protective covers still frozen to the grass, there is now frost in the ground because of the longevity of these frosts,” he said.
Clifford added: “We would need daytime temperatures tomorrow to be above zero quite early in order for the covers to be removed in time for the 11.50am start, but that just isn’t going to happen. There is no chance of the frost coming out of the ground tomorrow. Milder temperatures are not arriving in time, so even a contingency of considering racing on Tuesday isn’t possible.
“We have done everything we can to give the William Hill Winter Festival as good a chance of being staged on (St Stephen’s) Day and December 27th, but the forecast has gone against us.”
The final result is that Kauto Star’s attempt to secure a historic five-in-a-row in the King George has literally been put on ice.
Punchestown and Fairyhouse upbeat
LEOPARDSTOWN AND Limerick might be sweating on their chances of Christmas racing, but hopes appear to be rising for those meetings scheduled over the New Year period, writes Brian O'Connor.
Punchestown (New Year’s Eve) and Fairyhouse (New Year’s Day) were under snow yesterday but both are optimistic.
“We’ve certainly got a better chance that any other meeting we’ve had recently. If the forecast is correct, I would be hopeful,” said Punchestown manager Richie Galway.
“There is still snow here but we’re seeing a reasonable thaw.”
Fairyhouse’s manager Peter Roe endured a nightmare fortnight with the weather earlier in the month but is anticipating fewer problems this time. “We are currently unraceable,” he said. “There is snow on the ground and frost has got into the ground. But temperatures are due to rise so I’m quite optimistic.”.
In contrast, Tramore has no snow and the only concern there is heavy rain. “It’s still quite a bit away yet so we should be able to deal with whatever is thrown at us,” manager Sue Phelan confirmed.
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