Testing ground at Punchestown Steady drizzle for most of yesterday has left ground conditions testing at Punchestown, where the going is heavy and the first on a seven race card kicks off at 12.25pm. Former Cheltenham Festival winner Mikael D'Haguenet is the main attraction at the Co. Kildare venue when he takes on three rivals in the 2m4f conditions hurdle (1.35). Clerk of the Course Brendan Sheridan said, "The rain was not that heavy yesterday but it was persistent for most of the day and the ground is testing. "It's probably at its worst from half way down the back straight to the finish." Racing also takes place at Tramore this afternoon with the going described as soft, and the seven race card gets underway at 12.40pm. Meanwhile there was a further 7mm of rain overnight at Cork, and the going in advance of Monday's meeting is soft to heavy (heavy in places) on both the hurdle and chase tracks.
