Punchestown officials are confident tomorrow’s Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase meeting will go ahead despite a forecast of overnight temperatures low as -2 degrees, threatening the first frost of the winter at the Co Kildare track.
"We've had no ground frost at all this winter and usually you have to have an accumulation of frosts before they have an impact, so we're confident there won't be a problem," said Punchestown's racing manager, Richie Galway.
Nevertheless the banks race has been moved to first on the card, allowing an extra half hour for any frost there may be on the hurdles and chase tracks to thaw.
“We will monitor things but we have a huge amount of fresh ground and temperatures are forecast to rise to plus three or four by noon so we’re not unduly worried,” Galway added.
No problems are expected for today's Fairyhouse card with manager Peter Roe reporting: "Overnight temperatures were not expected to dip below freezing, so we should be fine."
