Is there racing at Leopardstown on Sunday? Latest prediction after Saturday is called off
After a washout that laid low plans for Saturday racing, officials at Leopardstown say they are “cautiously optimistic” about the Sunday card taking place.
Today was due to be the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival, but was abandoned after a morning inspection, which followed 17mm of rain overnight. After a wet week, it made the course unraceable.
That card, highlighted by the Irish Gold Cup, has been switched to Monday with the original second day hinging on an 8am inspection on raceday.
Leopardstown’s chief executive Mark Clayton said: “They are working away on the track. When we went out there this morning it was unraceable after 17mm of rain overnight, with 100mm during the week.
“We were expecting 4mm to 5mm this morning but we have had about 2mm and we are forecast a dry day today and then through until Monday. Given the forecast we would be cautiously optimistic about Sunday’s card but we will have an inspection at 8am.”
Sunday’s card is due to feature an Irish Champion Hurdle clash between Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead, with the two-mile contest one of four scheduled Grade One events.
Who will win the Irish Champion Hurdle?
Gordon Elliott has made no secret of the regard in which he holds Brighterdaysahead but is well aware his mare has to improve to beat Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
The pair met at Christmas when Lossiemouth came out on top but Willie Mullins’ grey had the benefit of race fitness on her side. With a run under her belt and no aversion to the testing conditions on offer at Leopardstown on Sunday, Elliott is keen to see how Brighterdaysahead gets on.