RACING NEWS:IT IS "fingers crossed time" at Roscommon ahead of an 8.30am inspection today to decide if this evening's meeting can go ahead.

With conditions already heavy, the manager reported the track couldn’t take much more rain and showers were forecast overnight and this morning.

“If we get some of the heavy rain that seems to be about elsewhere then we are doomed,” Michael Finneran said.

Another with his fingers crossed will be Curragh trainer Michael Grassick, who hopes to give his Montjeu filly Boulay a second career start in the opening fillies maiden.

There was plenty of encouragement in Boulay’s debut, where she did best of the rest behind the Ballydoyle duo, Dixie Music and Yankee Doodle, at Leopardstown.

Definitely Marble came to the Punchestown festival with a big reputation where he started evens favourite for a competitive bumper. In the circumstances then, a fifth to Lastoftheleaders was a little disappointing.

But Willie Mullins brings him out for the bumper, and he should be better for the experience.

Tipperary trainer Thomond O’Mara is enjoying a good run at present and Banna Man could defy a 6lb hike in the ratings for winning at Killarney in the mile-and-a-half handicap.

** Rachel Alexandra repelled the late challenge of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird to become only the fifth filly to win the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Sent off the market-leader to become the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924, Rachel Alexandra bounced out of her wide draw.

She took a couple of lengths out of her rivals on the turn for home, and although Mine That Bird came with a similar late charge to the one he had produced in the Derby, Rachel Alexandra kept up the gallop to take the glory by a length.