CARBERRY TO MISS FIRST TWO DAYS OF PUNCHESTOWN Paul Carberry will definitely miss the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, and could also miss out on the second day. The Irish champion elect badly bruised his thigh in a fall at Fairyhouse last week while riding Blue, trained by Noel Meade, in the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle. Meade said on Sunday: 'I've just spoken to Paul and he told me he definitely will not ride on Tuesday. At this stage Wednesday is also in doubt but he does hope to be back in action later in the week.' Speaking on Harbour Pilot's chances of making the starting line-up in the Heineken Gold Cup against Beef Or Salmon on Wednesday, Meade is waiting on some rain: 'Harbour Pilot will run only if there is a good ease in the ground. I don't intend risking him if the ground is any faster.' The going at Punchestown is reported to be good on the hurdle and chase track on Sunday following a few showers over the weekend. More showers were forecast for Sunday night and Monday.
