Leopardstown passes inspection Racing at Leopardstown has again beaten the weather and today's meeting, featuring the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle, goes ahead as scheduled following an early morning inspection. A further 4mm of rain fell at the south Co. Dublin track overnight leaving the going soft to heavy, soft in places, on the hurdle/bumper course. The chase course is heavy. Fresh ground is available today for the hurdle/bumper races with the inner track in use. Officials decided to call a precautionary inspection for the second successive day at Leopardstown due to the threat of waterlogging. The Grade 1 feature sees the Willie Mullins-trained Hurricane Fly bidding for a hat-trick in this valuable event, while former Cheltenham Champion Hurdler Binocular provides strong opposition. Mullins also saddles the exciting Pont Alexandre, one of eight runners in the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle. The first on an eight-race card gets underway at 12.25pm, with the feature at 1.55pm. The doors open at 10.30am. The forecast is to be blustery with the chance of passing showers.
