THE PUNCHESTOWN authorities believe they have a good chance of racing going ahead today but the track will have to survive an 8am inspection this morning in case of any further overnight rain.
Over two inches of rain fell on the Co Kildare track on Monday into yesterday, prompting a 4pm look yesterday which found the course to be fit for racing.
“There are some pools of water lying in low areas but we are working on those. We have a reasonable chance,” said the Punchestown manager, Richie Galway, yesterday.
If racing does get the green light there will be plenty of interest in the first Irish start of the unbeaten bumper performer Make A Track in one of the maiden hurdles. The Gigginstown Stud purchase won bumpers at Towcester and Sandown last season for David Arbuthnot but is now with Charlie Swan.
Make A Track looks promising but he concedes jumping experience to Reizovic, third to Dylan Ross at Fairyhouse earlier in the month. Gigginstown have two hopes in the two-and-a-half-mile Beginners Chase and while Davy Russell is on the high-class hurdler Stonemaster, testing ground conditions could suit Crash more.
Burn And Turn won at the festival here last May and should emerge best from a clash of winners in the mares bumper.
