Florida Pearl has received the green light to take on Native Upmanship and Dorans Pride at Punchestown on Sunday, but the possibility of a Durkan Chase clash between the trio may yet be foiled by the weather.
Punchestown is currently raceable but track spokesman Richie Galway said yesterday: "If the forecast is correct we will race - but we don't have much of a margin for error."
The Co Kildare course has had an inch and a half of rain since the weekend and Galway added: "We've just had torrential rain and we're expecting a further half an inch on Thursday night.
"At the moment we can race but there will be a track inspection in the morning (this morning) and depending on what happens after that we may have to have a look at the track again on Sunday morning. If we get more rain than is forecast we will certainly have to look at things."
That would be a disappointment for Willie Mullins, who schooled Florida Pearl yesterday and reported afterwards: "He's a runner and Ruby (Walsh) rides. He worked well enough this morning and we're quite keen to have a go. On the ratings he must have a very good chance. I hope so anyway!"
Cashmans bookmakers responded to that news by releasing an early book on the Durkan Chase; they make Florida Pearl their evens favourite. Native Upmanship is on 6 to 5 with Dorans Pride on 8 to 1 and Promalee a 20 to 1 outsider.
Although the steeplechases at tomorrow's Clonmel card are already abandoned there are no problems envisaged with the rest of the all-hurdles fixture going ahead. A spokesperson said: "The hurdles course is perfect for racing at the moment and there is no rain forecast."
There is a similarly upbeat message from Navan about the Saturday card, with the course manager Richard Lyttle reporting: "Although some rain is expected we're not overly concerned at the moment. Indeed after two dryish days, we're very hopeful."
One horse who is unlikely to run at Navan however is the Mullins-trained star novice Be My Royal, who holds an entry in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Novice Hurdle.
Mullins reported: "He is more likely to go for the rescheduled three-mile hurdle at Thurles the following week."
