Meade urges Leopardstown to water ahead of Dublin Racing Festival

Noel Meade: 'Thanks to this initiative people will have unlimited virtual access to many training yards across the country while staying safe at home.”

Noel Meade: 'I had two horses who came back sore from the Christmas meeting'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Noel Meade has echoed champion trainer Willie Mullins' desire for officials to water the track at Leopardstown in advance of the two-day Dublin Racing Festival and warned the track risks a “big shortage” of runners if there is not sufficient give in the ground.

In his Racing Post column on Saturday, Mullins urged Leopardstown to seriously consider watering for the showpiece weekend, which offers €2.1 million in prize-money on February 1 and 2 and features eight Grade 1s, including the Irish Gold Cup and the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle.

Speaking on Monday, Meade, who is chairman of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, lent his support to Mullins’ plea. “I had two horses come back sore from the Leopardstown Christmas meeting and if the ground isn’t suitable there will be a big shortage of runners for the big meeting there next month,” he said.

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Tony O'HehirRacing Post Reporter

Published on 6 January 2020inNews

Last updated 19:07, 6 January 2020

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