Weather takes its toll but prospects for Naas on Saturday are good

The odds appear to be against National Hunt fans experiencing any action in Ireland until the weekend, when the Naas authorities don't foresee any problems with their Saturday fixture going ahead.

Today’s scheduled Down Royal fixture was cancelled yesterday and postponed to next Wednesday due to freezing conditions.

Tomorrow’s scheduled Clonmel card is dependent on passing an 8am inspection this morning.

“Parts of the track are still frozen and temperatures are set to remain low. So we’re taking it step by step and hoping for the best,” said Clonmel manager DJ Histon.

In contrast, Naas manager Tom Ryan is confident of racing being possible at the weekend, when all eyes will be on Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup card at Leopardstown.

The Dublin track’s officials don’t foresee problems with that prestigious meeting going ahead and Ryan believes the elements will also help Naas as the week progresses.

“From Thursday into Friday we’re being told it won’t get as cold at night and things will go up a degree or two during daylight hours,” he said.

“We’re at that crossover time of year too, when we’re starting to get a couple of extra hours of daylight and that gives us more time to work with. I don’t foresee any problems for Saturday,” Ryan added.

Ground conditions at Naas are currently “soft” ahead of a fixture which could see the next appearance of the exciting ex-French mare Vroum Vroum Mag in the BBA Ireland Opera Hat Novice Chase.

Vroum Vroum Mag is one of just seven remaining in the race after the latest acceptance stage and could bid to extend her unbeaten record in Ireland to four.

Willie Mullins has also left his exciting Weatherbys Champion Bumper hope Up For Review in the Naas finale on Saturday.

Up For Review is a general 10-1 in ante-post betting for the Cheltenham race after his impressive debut at Leopardstown over Christmas.