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Saturday’s opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival has been transferred to Monday after heavy rain overnight at Leopardstown. Racing was called off just after 7am. There will be an 8am inspection on Sunday to ascertain if that day’s racing, featuring the Dublin Chase, can go ahead.
However, there was better news from Sandown, where racing will go ahead on Saturday.
Parts of the hurdle track had been deemed unfit for racing on Friday morning, following 22mm of rain in the previous 24 hours. But the course was declared raceable at Friday lunchtime after an inspection led to the discovery of a workable racing line close to the chase track that had not been previously utilised.
Horse Racing Ireland has outlined a plan to ensure both days of the DRF are able to go ahead.
Punchestown’s bank holiday Monday meeting will now transfer to Wednesday to accommodate Leopardstown’s Saturday card moving to Monday. Original declarations will stand.
Racing was also called off at Wetherby after the track failed an inspection at 8am.
The West Yorkshire track had 10mm of rain up to mid-afternoon on Friday and suffered further rain overnight, leaving areas of false and unraceable ground on Saturday morning.
Read more:
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Who should punters be keen to take on? Ranking the eight Grade 1 favourites at the Dublin Racing Festival
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