English/Ire
Leopardstown to undergo morning inspection
The opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival is subject to an 8am inspection on Saturday.
Parts of the hurdles course were declared as unraceable on Friday morning after 22mm of rain on Thursday, however, after officials assessed at the course, they deemed the track to be raceable at lunchtime having found a new racing line.
The prospect of an extra 10-20mm of rain heading into the opening day has caused officials to call for an 8am inspection on race day, with the going on the hurdles track currently described as heavy and the going on the chase course described as soft to heavy.
An update on the IHRB X account said: "Our hurdle track was unfit to race but we've had a look at a fresh line right out beside the chase track. This line is currently fit to race despite the 22mm of rain we had yesterday.
"It's a line that would never have been used in the past. We do have the potential for another 10-20mm, and most forecasters are saying it could be in the mid-teens.
"We would like to get a bit of luck with that but we're currently fit to race. It's been a reasonably dry and bright day today but due to the forecast rain we have proposed to hold an inspection at 8am."
Sandown, which is also set to stage Grade 1 action with the VirginBet Scilly Isles Chase, have called for a 7.30am inspection on Saturday morning.
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