Racing at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday is subject to an 8am inspection, with a further 20mm of rain expected tonight.
Officials remain optimistic and a new area of the course has been opened up to allow the best chance but the rainfall has been on a massive scale.
If tomorrow’s card is lost, which would be a huge blow with all tickets sold out, then it is possible that the card will transfer to Monday, a bank holiday.
Sunday is expected to take place with a day and a night of drying conditions.
Paddy Power is sponsor of Saturday’s Featured Gold Cup and Ladbrokes sponsor two Grade One races on Sunday.
The sponsorship portfolio was boosted this week with the announcement that Timeless Sash Windows is to be the new sponsor of the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle, which will also be run on Sunday.
The two-mile contest is one of National Hunt racing’s most prestigious events and carries a prize fund of €200,000. First run in 1950, the race has produced a roll of honour featuring some of the sport’s greats, including Hatton’s Grace, Flying Bolt, L’Escargot and Istabraq, along with more recent champions such as Hurricane Fly, Honeysuckle, Apple’s Jade and State Man.
Timeless Sash Windows is a family-run joinery business based in Co Meath, with more than 50 years’ experience specialising in the manufacture and refurbishment of period sash windows. The family has a long-standing involvement in racehorse ownership and an existing sponsorship relationship with Leopardstown, which now expands to backing one of the standout races of the National Hunt season.
This year’s renewal is shaping up as a compelling contest, with a potential rematch between Willie Mullins’ Lossiemouth and Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead after they filled the first two places in the Grade 1 December Hurdle. Mullins will also be represented by El Fabiolo and it promises to be a great contest.
Mark Clayton, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse, said the new partnership reflected the sponsor’s growing commitment to the sport. “We are delighted to welcome Timeless Sash Windows as sponsor of the Irish Champion Hurdle,” he said. “Their continued support of racing at Leopardstown and their decision to back one of our premier races is hugely appreciated.”
Barry Callaghan, Managing Director of Timeless Sash Windows, said the race held particular appeal for the family business. “Racing has been a big part of our families over many years,” he said. “To be associated with a race that brings together the best hurdlers, trainers and jockeys in the world at Leopardstown is something very special.”
Apart from the racing and the hospitality, racegoers will also be able to enjoy JockeyCam virtual reality experiences and live music, including performances from Wolfhound and Electra Trad.
