THE chances of Coneygree running at Listowel were receding last night as connections expressed concern about the likely ground conditions for next Wednesday’s Guinness Kerry National.

Winner of the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Coneygree heads the weights for the three-mile handicap chase but trainer Mark Bradstock told The Irish Field that the 10-year-old is not a certain runner. Ground conditions were described as “soft, heavy in places” on the National Hunt track yesterday and the forecast remains unsettled.

Bradstock said: “We’re very keen to run but concerned about the ground. I’m not sure we would travel if it was going to be heavy. A decision will be made on Saturday morning after we speak to the clerk of the course.”

If Coneygree defects the weights will rise by at least 6lb, with Galway Plate runner-up Shaneshill next on the list.

The seven-day festival starts on Sunday but the big days, in terms of attendance, are Wednesday and Friday.

Racecourse chairman David Fitzmaurice said: “Friday is Ladies Day and it has now passed out Wednesday as the busiest day. We had 28,543 here on the Friday last year and we hope to break 30,000 next week.”