FAIRYHOUSE COULD be facing a fourth postponement of their prestigious “winter festival” card with hopes fading for the fixture going ahead on Saturday, writes Brian O’Connor.

The Turf Club inspector of courses Val O’Connell is expected to examine the course today but the track manager Peter Roe admitted yesterday evening: “We’re not expecting a positive reaction. We have to be very pessimistic. Whatever thaw is there is not half strong enough.”

He added: “I have talked to owners and trainers involved in the big races about having a shot at running it next week and they have all said they would rather run in a Grade One than wait.”

No details are ready about a date for when the card could be rescheduled for again but next Wednesday, for which racing is due to take place at Clonmel, could be an option.

Ireland’s principal Champion Hurdle hopes, Hurricane Fly and Solwhit, are due to run in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle which along with the Drinmore Novice Chase and Royal Bond Novice Hurdle was originally due to be run November 28th.

The impact of the freezing weather hit again yesterday when tomorrow’s scheduled Gowran Park fixture was cancelled after an inspection. The track was covered in frozen snow.

Navan is also due to stage Grade One action on Sunday but Val O’Connell is also expected to have a look at that track today.

Temperatures hit minus 16 Celsius at the Navan course on Tuesday night.