'We're anxious based on the forecast' - worry for Punchestown's John Durkan card

The return of Galopin Des Champs in Sunday's Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase (2.00) is in doubt as Punchestown officials face an "anxious" wait over whether the card can survive sustained sub-zero temperatures over the coming days.

Punchestown racing manager Richie Galway says his team will do everything it can for racing to take place this weekend, but forecasts from Met Eireann indicate temperatures are likely to remain at or below freezing for the majority of the week.

Worryingly for the Kildare venue with a view to Sunday's action, it is expected to be -2C or colder from 4pm on Saturday until next Tuesday.

There is also some concern over freezing forecasts at Cork ahead of Energumene's likely comeback in the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase (2.20) on Sunday. Met Eireann predicts temperatures at the Mallow track will be no higher than 1C on raceday, touching -3C overnight.

Galway said: "We're anxious based on the forecast that we're seeing. We have a couple of advantages in that the chase and hurdle tracks are laid out to be on completely fresh ground.

"Poached ground is the biggest danger in these circumstances; it tends to freeze quicker. We'll cover any vulnerable areas and monitor the situation.

Punchestown's winning post in the frost ahead of Morgiana Hurdle day in 2016Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We want to race and it looks a fantastic meeting with a strong renewal of the John Durkan. Like everyone else, we're keeping an anxious eye on the forecast.

"We'll make every effort to race. The danger here is that it's cumulative frost over more than one night."

Cork manager Andrew Hogan is also optimistic that fresh ground will boost his track's chances of surviving the cold snap.

"We'll be doing everything possible that we can but you'd obviously have a concern with the weather," said Hogan.

"The forecast doesn't seem to be as bad in the south of the country where we are. We had little or no frost last night and it usually takes a few days for frost to get into the ground, so you're hoping it won't be as severe.

"We'll be putting down covers at the front and back of fences. Our hurdle track will be all fresh ground and there'll be a fresh eight yards on the chase course.

"It's a huge day for us, the biggest meeting of the year, and having Energumene here again is massive. We'll be doing all we can."

Should Punchestown get the green light this weekend, Gordon Elliott will take aim at Galopin Des Champs with recent Down Royal Grade 2 winner Fury Road, as Irish Gold Cup hero Conflated is kept fresh for the Leopardstown Christmas festival.

Fury Road and Jack Kennedy (right) get the better of a tight battle with Delvino for the Eventsec Chase at Down Royal last monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott said: "I'd imagine Fury Road will be our only runner in the John Durkan. It was nice to see him win at Down Royal on his first start back and hopefully he has a good each-way chance. I think Conflated will go straight to the Savills Chase."

A raceday inspection has been called for Thursday's seven-race jumps card at Clonmel, which is set to see quality performers such as Eklat De Rire, Ronald Pump, Diol Ker and Milan Native in the 3m hurdle (1.45).

Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said on Wednesday: "The ground at Clonmel remains soft, soft to heavy in places and is fit to race at present.

"The forecast from Met Eireann is for widespread frost and freezing fog, which could be slow to clear due to daytime temperatures remaining low, so we felt it was prudent to call a precautionary inspection for 8am."

Navan manager Aidan McGarry expects more clarity by Friday on whether the Meath track will be good to go for Saturday's fixture, featuring the €100,000 handicap hurdle and Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase (1.36).

"Things are a little more positive this morning," McGarry said on Wednesday. "We could easily have raced if the meeting was today, but we'll just have to monitor it over the coming days."

He added: "Our meeting probably falls on the third day of a hard frost. We should have a good idea of the situation on Friday afternoon, but there are some more positive signs in terms of temperatures for Saturday."

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