Limerick and Leopardstown set for inspections on Saturday morning

Precautionary inspections will take place at Limerick and Leopardstown racecourses ahead of Saturday's racing action, following torrential rainfall around the country.

An eight-race card is due to take place in Leopardstown from 1.20pm, while Limerick's seven-race card is earmarked to begin at 2.05pm.

IHRB Clerk of the Course at Limerick, Paul Moloney, said an inspection of the course would take place early on Saturday morning in anticipation of further rain overnight.

"Due to the current weather forecast we are going to hold a 7.30am precautionary inspection at Limerick tomorrow morning ahead of racing," he said.

"There has been only 2mm of rain since declarations this morning but having spoken with Met Éireann there is still the possibility of a further 7-10mm of rain this evening into tonight. We have an all-hurdle card tomorrow and the track remains heavy but is fit for racing at present. We've fresh ground on the hurdle track for racing on Sunday."

The IHRB Clerk of the Course at Leopardstown, Lorcan Wyer, said an inspection there would take place at 8am with the track currently fit for racing.

"The ground at Leopardstown this morning was soft to heavy this morning but following a further 10mm of rain today, it is now heavy," he said.

"Met Éireann have issued a Status Orange weather warning for rain in Dublin and Wicklow and it is possible we will get a further 20mm of rain through today into this evening."