Punchestown in the balance

The chances of Punchestown running off an all-hurdles card tomorrow afternoon have been described as little better than "50-50".

The three scheduled steeplechase races were abandoned yesterday and an 8.0 inspection this morning will decide if an ammended seven-race programme can go ahead.

"The majority of the hurdles and bumper track is raceable but there are patches giving concern. If we don't have a severe overnight frost then we will have a chance and we can look at options for getting around the bits causing problems," said Punchestown racing manager Richie Galway.

If racing does get the green light, races will be divided to make a seven-race card.

Saturday's racing is fixed for Navan but the big weekend fixture is at Leopardstown where the Pierse Hurdle will be the feature.

Leopardstown was raceable yesterday but the real concern is for the frosty forecast later in the week.

Leopardstown's racing manager Tom Burke said yesterday: "Up to Wednesday night, the forecast is for easterly winds which should stop any frost of note along the east coast.

"But from Thursday it's forecast to get more frosty again and we're playing a waiting game at the moment. One can't be too precise.

"The ground is currently soft on the hurdles course and soft to heavy on the chase.

"The fact that it hasn't been raining has been a huge help to the track.

"There's no great drying but there is natural soakage."

Any prospect of the card scheduled for Thurles yesterday being rescheduled for Thursday was quashed yesterday.

The frosty forecast gave no chance of the plan coming off.