Punchestown to hold precautionary inspection

A threat of overnight frost means officials at Punchestown will hold a precautionary inspection at 8am on Saturday morning ahead of racing that afternoon.

Racing is due to begin at 12.40, with a seven-race card featuring the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at 2.20.

Racing manager Richie Galway said: "It is purely precautionary. At the moment we are OK, but it's going to get colder this evening and the forecast is for a reasonable frost with temperatures down to minus 2C or minus 3C overnight.

“We just thought it was prudent to call a precautionary tomorrow in advance. We hope we’ll be OK.”

Much attention in the Moscow Flyer race will surround the Willie Mullins-trained Vautour, impressive when winning on his Irish debut at Navan last month and prominent in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting as a result.