The card at Punchestown was cancelled yesterday because of a frozen track, and there are serious concerns a similar fate awaits today's Gowran fixture.
Overnight air temperatures in the Kilkenny area are expected to plummet to minus six degrees, so there is an inspection at 7.0 a.m.
The track manager, Tom Carroll, said yesterday: "It would have been raceable here at 12.30 today after the thaw we had. It depends tomorrow on the anticipated thaw. We would have a better idea at 10.0, but it would be too late by then."
Punchestown held a 7.0 inspection yesterday morning and hopes were raised when a decision was postponed to 9.0. However, the temperatures remained low and the Kildare track bowed to the elements.
If Gowran can avoid a similar outcome, it will stage a fascinating conditions hurdle in which the course specialist, Bob Treacy, makes his first start since landing the Thyestes last February.
Ranged against him are the 123 rated pair of Bob Justice and Take Five, and Thursday's Limerick winner Kadoun, who goes for a quick follow-up to his half-length defeat of Native Jack.
Atlantic Rhapsody and Minella Hotel would be likely to start short for their respective races but look clear choices, while course winner The Cushman could be the one in the three mile hurdle.
An early start for the building of the M50 motorway through Leopardstown means the racecourse will have to operate an emergency parking plan from January.
Favourable weather conditions mean that work on the new ring road can start in January, rather than March, which coincides with one of the busiest times of the year for the racetrack.
The Pierse Hurdle meeting on January 13th will see the first use of the current overflow site on the Glencairn Lands. It is behind the Ballyogan car park which will be closed.
The M50 work is expected to take three years and means the realignment of the sprint track at Leopardstown.
"The Hennessy on February 10th will be our big test, but we are happy we will be able to cope well," the Leopardstown manager, Matt O'Dwyer, said yesterday.
