PUNCHESTOWN racing manager Richie Galway reports the track to be in great shape following record rainfall recorded for the months of March, April and May.

The ground was described as heavy at the track only last weekend but a mostly fine weather week has dried the ground back to yielding. With 10-15mm of rain forecast for over the weekend and more unsettled weather next week, Galway and his team are monitoring the situation with regard to watering.

“We’re in great shape,” he said. “Obviously the unsettled period of weather hasn’t helped many but it really has helped us. We’ve had record rain amounts for the spring period. It’s helped our task hugely.

“In normal years we would be watering by now but that hasn’t been necessary this year. It has been drying here for a couple of days now but there is still a lot of moisture in the ground.

“We’re after installing a new state of the are watering system and we will use it if necessary but with rain forecast for the weekend and the weather unsettled for next week, we will just monitor the situation. If we do have to water, it should be relatively straightforward and shouldn’t be extensive.”

The usual track set up will be in operation at Punchestown next week.

“We are using the ground we haven’t raced on since last year’s Festival,” Galway confirmed. “We’ve five days of seven yards of fresh ground on the hurdles course and two full chase tracks so we’ll basically move the chase rails when necessary.

“It looks fantastic and we can’t to get started on Tuesday. The ground is slow at the moment and we’re really where we’d want to be.”

Smart prospects to go under the hammer on Thursday

A DOZEN initial entries have been assembled for the Goffs Punchestown Sale which takes place in the parade ring after racing next Thursday.

The 12 entries to date include nine four-year-olds that have won or been runner up in point-to-points or bumpers, two five-year old winners and the high-class broodmare prospect Dolcita, placed in the Irish Grand National on her latest start.

Dolcita looks a top broodmare prospect, having elavated her form again this year for the champion trainer.

Among the point-to-point contingent, Fortunate Man, Bellas Bridge and Kingston Pride are likely to attract attention. Fortunate Man won at Dromahane last Sunday for Mick Goff, who has previously produced Fabulous Saga, Sams Profile and Daly Tiger.

Bellas Bridge won 30 minutes later on the same card for Paul and Andy Pierce, who sold Seeyouinmydreaks after she won a four-year-old mares’ maiden first time out last season.

It is expected that there will be more horses added to the sale after the four point-to-points scheduled for this weekend take place.

A full catalogue will be released on Monday with the sale also open to wildcard entries from the first two days of the Punchestown Festival.