Supreme favourite Salvator Mundi set for weekend reappearance as Irish tracks expect to beat weather

The prospect of a full programme of Irish jump racing this weekend is growing after those in charge at Fairyhouse and Punchestown described themselves as "very optimistic" that their cards will go ahead. 

Peter Roe, long-serving manager of Fairyhouse, which stages the €100,000 SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase on Saturday, expects the track to be raceable if the forecast is correct, despite the fact they couldn't have raced on Wednesday due to frozen ground. 

Roe said on Wednesday: "We're very optimistic we'll be okay for Saturday based on the forecast we've been given. 

"We were perfectly raceable yesterday but it got down to -5C overnight and has barely got above freezing all day today. We wouldn't have been able to race if we had a card today. 

"The temperatures will be similar on Thursday, but from Friday morning the temperatures are set to rise and it is going to get warmer as the day goes on. There is no frost forecast for Friday night, so if that remains the case I'd be very optimistic that we'll be able to race on Saturday. We're looking forward to a great card."

If Fairyhouse does get the go-ahead there could be an added bonus as Roe has been having discussions with ITV about showing some of the action on Saturday if the weather isn't as kind in Britain and meetings are lost. 

Roe said: "We would love the opportunity to showcase Fairyhouse on ITV on Saturday."

Conor O'Neill, chief executive of Punchestown, the track due to host the Grade 2 Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle on Sunday, said he does not anticipate any problems ahead of that card, which could see the eagerly awaited return of ante-post Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Salvator Mundi in the feature event. 

O'Neill said: "Based on Met Eireann's current forecast we should be fine. Temperatures are set to rise on Friday and we'd be very optimistic that racing will take place as scheduled on both Sunday and Monday.  We're hoping we won't have any issues."

Willie Mullins, trainer of Salvator Mundi, is chasing a record-extending 11th win in the Moscow Flyer, a race he has won with stars such as Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015), Min (2016) and Impaire Et Passe (2023), as well as Mystical Power last year. 

In addition to Salvator Mundi, the 62-length winner of a maiden hurdle at Tipperary in May, Mullins has also entered the unbeaten Kel Histoire and Ballygunner Castle.

Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Punchestown, Sunday)
Sky Bet: 6-5 Salvator Mundi, 3 Kel Histoire, 5 Sporting Glory, 6 Sky Lord, 7 Ballygunner Castle, 8 Casheldale Lad, 11 Relieved Of Duties, 16 bar.

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