ATHLONE trainer Tom Cleary and his family are battling to keep flood waters from the River Shannon out of their house this weekend. Already their gallop has been destroyed and the stableyard rendered uninhabitable.

This week Cleary moved six horses to the Curragh Racecourse stables and is grateful for the help he has received. “Michael Grassick put me in touch with Curragh manager Paul Hensey who told me to come on with the horses. I’m able to work them on the Old Vic and I have to thank the Curragh for their kindness.”

Cleary’s son Rory, a prominent flat jockey, has been assisting his father through what has been a testing week. “I have been living in the Athlone area for 40 years and 2009 was the first time that water came in around my yard. The gallop was ruined that year and it took years to get it right. We don’t have the gallop insured and it will be very expensive to restore it.”

The Met Office is predicting further flooding this weekend, with the south and west of the country most at risk. Clare, Limerick and Westmeath lands close to the Shannon are especially in danger. Saturday was a particularly wet day and, while Sunday should have some dry spells, the forecast into next week is for more showery and unsettled conditions.

Last weekend’s storm hit Co Galway particularly hard and trainers in that area are still finding it difficult to keep horses fed and exercised.

Trainer Martin Cullinane, who has 25 riding out at his Athenry, Co Galway stables, said: “It’s tough going at the minute. We’re lucky enough in that our Wexford sand gallop has survived but it was borderline last weekend.

“It’s hard when you are trying to give horses a run before Christmas. Some places near me have been flooded for the past two weeks.”

Cullinane’s neighbour Val O’Brien says he also escaped the worst of the flooding last weekend but his yard did suffer storm damage. “We had 36 hours non-stop wind and rain,” he said. “Bits of galvanised steel came off sheds and perspex screens cracked.”

Co Clare trainer Donie Hassett saw a furlong of his sand gallop disappear under water. “Surprisingly when the water level went down the sand was still there,” he reported. “I am near Ennis, which is not too bad. It’s much worse around Killaloe and Clonlara.”

Cork Racecourse lost a fixture last weekend and Sunday’s replacement date failed an 8am inspection. The course had been raceable on Saturday evening but was flooded on Sunday morning.

Saturday’s Tramore card passed an 8.30am inspection but continuous rain throughout the day forced the cancellation of the final two races.

Navan on Sunday passed an early-morning inspection. The ground is heavy and only light drizzle is expected during the morning. Navan also race on Monday, a replacement date for last Saturday’s cancelled fixture.

The two point-to-points scheduled for Sunday are at Borris House in Co Carlow and Boulta in Co Cork.