The prestigious Dublin Racing Festival faces renewed uncertainty as persistent heavy rainfall has left sections of the Leopardstown racecourse officially declared 'unfit for racing'. This development casts a significant shadow over one of the most anticipated events in the national hunt calendar, scheduled for this weekend.
Critical Inspection Scheduled
Officials from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have announced a crucial inspection for 2.30pm on Friday. This decision follows a further 22mm of rain falling in the last 24 hours, adding to an already saturated course that has endured 193mm of precipitation over the preceding fortnight. The forecast indicates the possibility of an additional 10-20mm of rain, further complicating the situation.
Track Conditions Deteriorate
The current assessment describes the chase course as 'soft to heavy', while specific parts of the hurdle track are now deemed unsuitable for competition. This represents a dramatic shift from earlier in the week when track officials, having utilised pumps and local drainage systems to clear extensive waterlogging from Storm Chandra, expressed confidence that the two-day festival would proceed as planned.
The festival is a major highlight, expected to attract crowds of up to 35,000 spectators across Saturday and Sunday. It serves as a key preparatory event for the Cheltenham Festival, featuring star attractions such as Willie Mullins' champions Galopin Des Champs and Lossiemouth. The potential cancellation or alteration of the fixture would represent a substantial blow to the sport, its fans, and the local economy.
A Week of Weather Woes
This is the second time this week the event has been placed in jeopardy. On Tuesday, the track was left waterlogged and unraceable following 60mm of rainfall during Storm Chandra, with social media videos vividly illustrating large areas of the chase course submerged under water. While the initial crisis was managed, the latest deluge has once again pushed the festival to the brink, leaving organisers, jockeys, and racing enthusiasts anxiously awaiting the outcome of Friday's pivotal inspection.
