Weather concerns as track is covered

RACING:WEATHER CONDITIONS could yet force the Fairyhouse authorities into switching tomorrow's prestigious triple Grade One "Winter Festival" card to a midweek date for the third time in the last five years.

An inch of snow is being forecast for the track overnight and tonight’s temperatures could get down to as low as minus five. With tomorrow’s daytime temperatures expected to not exceed two degrees, plans are already in place to move the meeting if necessary.

Today’s scheduled card was postponed to Thursday to give the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle programme every chance but that date could also be an option for the valuable Sunday card if racing isn’t possible tomorrow.

“We have a contingency plan in place and all options are being considered,” the Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe said yesterday.

“I’m as hopeful as I can be in the circumstances about Sunday. If we don’t get snow, and temperatures don’t go below minus two on Saturday night, then we will have a chance.”

Last year, the Sunday card, also featuring the Drinmore Chase and the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, was moved to the following Wednesday due to waterlogging. In 2006, high winds forced the cancellation of the meeting after just two races. The remainder of the fixture was run the following Wednesday.

Freezing conditions are the problem this time and covers were being put on the track yesterday in an attempt to beat the cold snap.

However, Roe admitted: “We could get up to an inch of snow and if we get that tonight we could be in trouble. We’re doing everything we can, and we do have fresh ground, but we are being told that Saturday night’s temperatures could hit minus four or minus five.”

If action isn’t possible it will be a blow for a number of trainers, particularly Willie Mullins who has fancied horses in all three Grade One races including Mikael D’Haguenet who is due to have a first start in 19 months in the Drinmore. It will be the first time the former Cheltenham and Punchestown festival winner has jumped a fence competitively in Ireland but he did run once over fences in his native France.

Nevertheless Mullins said yesterday: “He jumps well and he’ll be tough to beat if he has a clear round.”

With Binocular reappearing at Newbury today, Ireland’s two big hopes for Champion Hurdle glory, Hurricane Fly and Solwhit, are due to clash in the Hatton’s Grace.