THE backend flat programme got a small shake-up this year, Naas and Leopardstown going to two-day weekend fixtures rather than standalone meetings, something that presents a challenge for track management with soft ground almost a given.

Leopardstown had an all-juvenile card for the first of their two days, presumably to give the two-year-olds the best of it, though that was relative after Saturday’s meeting had to pass an inspection following a period of intense rain, with some surface water being kicked up down the back straight and Kris Weld describing the going as ‘atrocious.’