Punchestown’s Grade One card on Sunday called off

Punchestown’s feature John Durkan Memorial Chase meeting on Sunday has been cancelled.

Officials had called an inspection for midday on Saturday to assess conditions ahead of the big fixture, which was set to see the return to action of Willie Mullins’ exciting Galopin Des Champs.

However, by 10.30am clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan was in a position to be able to make an early call, with the course covered in snow and a deep frost forecast overnight.

There is, though, every hope the meeting can be rescheduled but given the next few days are due to be similar weather-wise, it will not be in the “coming days”.

Sheridan said: “Following overnight snow and a forecast for additional snow and severe frost tonight, unfortunately we have had to cancel tomorrow’s meeting.

“As there is no improvement forecast through the next week with temperatures remaining below freezing the meeting will not be rescheduled in the coming days. A date for the rescheduled meeting will be announced on Monday.”

There was better news at Cork, due to stage the Hilly Way Chase, where the track is currently raceable. A further inspection has been called for 8am.

Clerk of the course Val O’Connell said: “Following an inspection today I am pleased to say that the track remains raceable at the moment. The ground is yielding to soft, soft in places.

“We did have frost last night but it didn’t get into the ground, it was only a grass frost and it is currently thawing.

“In light of the forecast for further frost tonight and into tomorrow we are going to have a further precautionary inspection at 8am on Sunday to determine the situation.”