ERICSSON MEETING MOVED TO SUNDAY

Today's racemeeting at Leopardstown, which was called off due to the severe weather that hit overnight, has been postponed until Sunday.

Sub zero temperatures brought a blanket of frost and snow to the track making it impossible to stage day three of the Christmas festival.

Leopardstown officials yesterday admitted to being 'concerned' about the prospects of today's meeting going ahead.

Officials staged a precautionary inspection of the track at 7am this morning and deemed the course 'unraceable'.

Today's seven race card included numerous intriguing contests with the highlight the Grade Two Ericsson Chase. The #65,300 contest features the much anticipated battle between Ireland's leading Cheltenham Gold Cup aspirants.

Nick Dundee, who made a triumphant return to the track after recovering from a life threatening injury sustained at Cheltenham last year, Native Upmanship who toppled Florida Pearl in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown and last year's winner Rince Ri were set to take centre stage in the three mile contest.

Tickets for today`s meeting will be valid on Sunday.

Leopardstown officials announced there will be a 7am inspection at the Dublin track in the morning to see if tomorrow's card, which includes the seasonal reappearance of Istabraq in the AIB Festival Hurdle, can go ahead.

If the card fails to beat the weather in the morning it will be postponed until Saturday (Deccember 30th) while the feature AIB Festival Hurdle will be carried over to Sunday if that meeting is lost.