Navan gets green light, Leopardstown to check again ahead of Sunday meeting

Following an inspection at Navan this morning, the track was found to be fit for racing and the fixture scheduled to take place this afternoon goes ahead - while another inspection is due at Leopardstown ahead of their card on Sunday.

The ground remains heavy and the first on a seven-race card is due off at 1.35pm.

Paddy Graffin, IHRB clerk of the course at Navan said: "I'm pleased to say that the track at Navan is fit for racing and has passed our inspection here this morning.

"There was a further 3mm of rain since we called the inspection yesterday morning but thankfully the rain stopped here at around lunchtime, despite it continuing in other local areas around us.

"The team here at Navan have done an outstanding job on the track and there is no longer any standing water. The ground remains heavy, and will be testing, but racing today goes ahead."

Following an 8am inspection at Leopardstown this morning, the track remains unfit for racing due to snow remaining in some areas. There will be a further inspection at 3pm today (Saturday) ahead of the fixture scheduled for Sunday.

Lorcan Wyer, clerk of the course at Leopardstown said: "The track at Leopardstown remains unfit for racing at present due to snow still lying in some areas.

"However, there has been improvement since yesterday and further thaw is expected today so we will have a further inspection at 3pm this afternoon. The forecast for today and tomorrow is mainly dry and bright with temperatures around eight degrees.

"Where the track is raceable, the ground is heavy on the Hurdle track and soft, soft to heavy in places on the Chase track following 23mm of rain in the last 24 hours."