Ground conditions improving at Leopardstown The going has slightly improved following a dry 24 hours at Leopardstown ahead of the showpiece weekend of National Hunt racing — the Dublin Racing Festival. The two days of action boast eight Grade 1 races in total with the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle taking centre-stage on Saturday, while the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup is the highlight on Sunday. Clerk of the Course Lorcan Wyer said this morning, “Following a dry day yesterday and a dry night the going is now soft on the hurdle and bumper track and yielding to soft on the chase track. “There is a potential for light rain tomorrow, maybe 3mm to 4mm, and it will be generally dry on Sunday. “The temperatures will be low with an Arctic feel to it particularly on Sunday when daytime temperatures may be only about 3C. “There might be a potential for some grass frost but thankfully no ground frost. “I think in general the track will ride a little slower than at Christmas.”
