RACING:PUNCHESTOWN OFFICIALS remain hopeful of racing going ahead today despite yesterday's fixture being lost to waterlogging.

Today’s card hinges on an 8am inspection and weather permitting will comprise of eight races.

The programme is set to host the Buck House Novice Chase and the Star “Best for Racing Coverage” Chase.

A third Grade Three is the Ryan’s Cleaning Events Specialists Hurdle while a fourth, the Grabel Mares Hurdle, has been switched from the lost card and has been added in as the first race on the card at 1.45pm.

“We are hopeful for tomorrow. The rain that fell last night and today put paid to today’s chances, but it is due to stop and when that happens it gives us an opportunity to deal with any areas we have concerns,” racecourse manager Richie Galway told At the Races.

“Tomorrow is a slightly better day and I’d be hopeful we’ll be able to race if the forecast is correct.

“If we get a dry start to tomorrow we can deal with any problems, though the ground will be heavy we’d be hopeful we could race.

“We have already dealt with some areas where water was lying this morning.

“There might be some places where we will be able to move rails and we will do that as we meet it.

“We’ve got lots of space and as it’s the first meeting of the season there is fresh ground everywhere. We will do whatever we can to get one of the two days on.

“It is unusual to be starting racing in October with ground as heavy as this. We have added an eighth race tomorrow to try and salvage the graded mares hurdle, so we start at 1.45pm.”

Paul Nolan is hopeful Joncol will be fit enough to do himself justice on his return from injury in the Star “Best For Racing Coverage” Chase at 4.15pm.

The dual Grade One winner suffered tendon damage during the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas, but has been pleasing his trainer ahead of his comeback run.

“He’s in good form and we’re very pleased with him. We’re hoping he’s as fit as we can have him without a run and that he’ll have a nice introduction to the season,” said the Co Wexford handler.

“When they have been off for long time you know they will need the run and I just hope we’ve done enough with him. He seems well. The ground will be extra testing and we just hope he comes out of the race well.”

Joncol will face just four rivals in the 23-furlong Grade Three event, headed by this year’s Betfred Bowl hero Follow The Plan, should the meeting pass the inspection.

Noel Meade is hoping Protars will be able to cope with the testing conditions when he has his first run over fences in the Buck House Novice Chase at 3.45pm.

The five-year-old has already created a good impression in both his races so far over the bigger obstacles. After finishing second to Weslife on his chasing bow at Galway, he got off the mark by two and a half lengths from Nearest The Pin in an 18-runner event at Gowran earlier this month.

“He’s been jumping well and his two runs have been good,” said Meade. “I’m not sure how much he’ll like the ground the way it’s going to be tomorrow, but he’s going to be there anyway. The distance is right and he’s in good form.”

A field of six is headed by the Mouse Morris-trained Baily Green, who has won his last five races.

Andrew Thornton returns to the saddle at Wincanton today after three months off with injury. Thornton injured his knee in a fall at Southwell in July when he ruptured ligaments.