Yielding to soft ground in Punchestown On day one of the Punchestown Festival, the going is yielding to soft after 4mm of rain yesterday morning. There is the possibility of 2mm of rain overnight. Tomorrow is expected to be mainly dry with showers forecast through Thursday (2-7mm of rain). Milder weather is forecast for the weekend. There's seven yards of fresh ground in use on the hurdle track each day, with fresh ground on the chase course on three days of the festival. The opening Listed mares' novice hurdle gets under way at 3.40pm. There are three Grade Ones on today's card including the William Hill Champion Steeplechase (5.25pm) where Energumene is long odds-on to retain his crown.
