Punchestown's star-studded Morgiana Hurdle card must pass an inspection with 35mm of rain possible overnight

An inspection has been called for 7.30am ahead of Saturday's Grade 1 card at Punchestown due to a risk of significant rain overnight.

The track is set to stage the opening day of its Premiere weekend, headlined by the return of Cheltenham Festival winners State Man and Lossiemouth, but will hold an inspection at 7.30am after being placed under a yellow weather warning for wind and rain.

On Friday evening clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "Due to the status yellow weather warning for wind and rain in place from 10pm tonight, there will be a precautionary inspection at Punchestown tomorrow morning.

"Having spoken with Met Eireann again this afternoon, the forecast is for us to get anything from 25mm to 35mm of rain overnight tonight and the winds to be quite strong.

"However, Met Eireann are predicting that the wind and rain will ease tomorrow morning, so if the weather forecast is correct I would be optimistic about our prospects of racing tomorrow."

The eight-race card is due to begin at 11.30, with the feature Unibet Morgiana Hurdle due off at 2.10.

Punchestown is also in action on Sunday, when dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs lines up in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

State Man and Lossiemouth on Morgiana collision course as Ballyburn decision finally made - plus Betfair Chase final field confirmed 

Let's get ready to rumble: it's round seven as Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow meet in a John Durkan for the ages 

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