"Its all systems go" declared acting racecourse manager Peter Roe this morning as the course escaped a feared frost and looks forward to an all-star eight race card which gets underway at 11.50am.

There are four Grade 1's up for grabs with the John Durkan Memorial Chase having been added to the Bar One Racing-sponsored Hattons Grace Hurdle, Drinmore Novice Chase and Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

"It is plus 2C, and we have no frost in the ground," declared Roe at 7.30am this morning.

He added: "The staff here have done a wonderful job in clearing up any remaining ice to make it safe for racegoers and horses, and we are looking forward to a great days racing."

Davy Russell renews his partnership with Solwhit in the "Hattons Grace", and he said on RTE Radio this morning: "It should help that he's had a run, and it's worked in our favour that this meeting has been put back a few weeks which gives him a better break since his run at Punchestown. I'm very confident."

"There is no doubt that Hurricane Fly is our chief rival and he's a special horse," added the Youghal rider.

Russell also made particular mention of his mount in the Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle, saying: "Toner d'Oudairies done it well at Down Royal and is a nice horse. I'm looking forward to riding him."