Rain threatens Irish Champion Stakes
Officials at Leopardstown will hold a 7am inspection to assess the prospects for their high-profile Saturday meeting.
The bumper eight-race card is due to feature two Group One contests in the Tattersalls Millions Champion Stakes and the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes but is now in some doubt.
The track has been hit by a deluge of rain today and although it has stopped for the moment, more is forecast and general manager Tom Burke is hoping for a largely dry night.
“We will have an inspection at 7am and we have had 45 millimetres of rain between 4am and 2pm,” said Burke.
“There are bits of casual water on the track but that wouldn’t be unusual when you get so much rain in a short period of time.
“We had a similar experience before our last meeting and we raced fine.
“It stopped raining at around 2pm but there is a risk of further showers tonight, although they tell me it should not be as bad as what we’ve had.
“Most of the track is surprisingly in good condition so we will have to see what the night brings.”
Burke described the current going as soft.
