Brian O'Connor
Wexford's Bank Holiday weekend prospects are hanging on a 3.00 inspection this afternoon to see if racing can go ahead there tomorrow.
Today's scheduled meeting was called off yesterday after conditions that a Turf Club spokesman described as "monsoon-like" hit the area in the morning.
As a result a planned inspections was brought forward and the course was found to be unraceable.
"It is unraceable at the moment and the forecast is for more showers mixed with some sunny spells," the spokesman added.
Losing the Sunday card as well would be a major blow to the Wexford executive with the featured €50,000 Listed Chase down to be run.
Frances Crowley is hoping to run the topweight Nil Desperandum in this ahead of a tilt at Aintree's Becher Chase, but if the meeting does get the green light a better option could be the mare Adarma who had a nice return to action over hurdles at Punchestown last week.
No problems are reported for tomorrow's other fixture at Galway which has the Grade Three novice chase as well as a Listed handicap hurdle down for decision.
Just four line up for the chase and Calorando looks the best option judged on a very decent run behind Tumbling Dice at Cork.
Michael Hourigan has Arteea in this, but could have better prospects in the hurdle with the Listowel winner Kilbeggan Lad who should appreciate the return to two miles.
Dillons Dilemma is an interesting newcomer to jumping in the three-year-old hurdle.
Dusty Sheehy's juvenile hasn't run since June but his run behind the Irish Derby third Shalapour at Gowran in May is an eye-catching one.
Racing opens with the juvenile auction race which could give Nevada Range compensation for a second at Fairyhouse last time out while The Boxer Roche ran into a good one in O'Muircheartaigh at Cork last time and doesn't look to have anything of that calibre to face down in the bumper.
Franklins Gardens is in a race against time to be fit for Tuesday's Emirates Melbourne Cup after pulling up lame following exercise yesterday morning. Initial reports suggested the Mark Tompkins-trained Yorkshire Cup winner was out of Australia's most famous race. However, Tompkins said: "It's a nightmare but we are doing everything we can and as I speak Franklins Gardens is not out of the Cup. I certainly haven't ruled him out."
