Rain forces inspection for Saturday action at Leopardstown

The first day of the Dublin Racing Festival needs to survive a 2.30pm inspection on Friday due to heavy rainfall overnight.

On Tuesday the course was unraceable with deep standing water on the back straight. However, due to the efforts of the ground staff it was able to be drained away and was drying up nicely.

Another 22mm of rain fell on Thursday and into Friday morning, though, taking the total to 193mm in the past two weeks, leaving parts of the hurdle track unfit for racing.

With the possibility of a further 10-20mm of rain on Friday, an inspection has been called.

The going is soft to heavy on the chase track.

There is also Grade One action due to take place at Sandown on Saturday, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott set to be represented through Kitzbuhel and Kala Conti respectively in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.

While the course is currently raceable, the clerk Andrew Cooper has called a precautionary inspection for 7.30am with further rain forecast.

A post from the track on X said: “There will be a precautionary inspection tomorrow morning at 7.30am ahead of Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Saturday. Both the hurdle and chase courses are currently raceable.

“There was 2mm of rain on Thursday night into Friday and we are due further rain from 4pm on Friday afternoon into Saturday morning.

“We will provide an update on conditions at 7.30am tomorrow.”