Top Strategy a good plan

Brian O'Connor

If the bunnies don't get the fences then the weather will seems to be the current trend as heavy rain has resulted in the abandonment of two more steeplechase races at Punchestown today.

It is just the latest blow to steeplechase fans, who knew eight days ago that there would be no fencing at Cork tomorrow and who then had to endure the invading rabbits' romp at Down Royal on Thursday!

The Punchestown authorities were finding it hard to look on the light side yesterday morning after an inspection revealed the take-off and landing sides of the fences were unsafe.

The track's racing manager, Richie Galway, said: "The conditions just weren't good enough to allow us race.

"Since 8 a.m. on Thursday we have had 39mm of rain and we've decided we can't race on the chase track.

"I think it is prudent we look after the course now because we have three race days left prior to the festival and we do want to take care of it.

"It's disappointing, but because there are no chases we have admission prices of €10 and €5 for students and OAPs."

Galway remains confident Punchestown will pass a 7.30 inspection this morning to see if the six-race hurdles programme can go ahead.

"We are not worried. If the forecast is correct there won't be a problem," he said.

The highlight today is the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle, where Ireland's top-priced Triumph Hurdle hope Top Strategy has to give weight all round.

The impressive winner of the Dennys at Christmas, Top Strategy, a 16 to 1 shot with Paddy Power for Cheltenham, will have Gary Hutchinson's 3lb claim on his side, as well as the turn of foot that proved so effective at Leopardstown. A repeat of that acceleration should be enough to see him home in front again.

Euro Leader scraped home at Cork last month, but the horses placed behind him have both won since and the Willie Mullins-trained horse, who generated some "machine" quotes after his bumper debut at Listowel, looks the one for the opener.

Mill Vale is preferred to the Willie Mullins runner Homer Wells in the second division of the bumper, while Treize Mars, runner-up to Derawar at Down Royal on Thursday, can go one better in the handicap.