THERE will be no National Hunt racing in Ireland on Friday after Punchestown’s eight-race card was abandoned due to heavy rain.

It had been due to be the second half of a two-day fixture rescheduled at the Co Kildare track following a schedule switch in the aftermath of Michael O’Sullivan’s passing.

However, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board announced shortly after 8am on raceday that following 20mm of rain overnight, parts of the track at Punchestown are now unfit for racing due to waterlogging.

With an unfavourable forecast of further persistent rain due throughout this morning, the fixture was cancelled.

Brendan Sheridan, IHRB Clerk of the Course at Punchestown, said: “Following extremely heavy downpours overnight, which brought more rain than was forecast, unfortunately parts of the track at Punchestown are now unfit for racing due to waterlogging.

“We were due to have 10-15mm of rain last night into today but we have already had 20mm and it is still raining here at present. Speaking to Met Éireann this morning there is now the possibility of a further 17mm prior to racing starting today.

“With parts of the track unfit for racing and the rain continuing throughout the morning we unfortunately have no option but to cancel the fixture scheduled for today.”

There is still Irish racing taking place on Friday, with Dundalk’s eight-race all-weather card kicking off at 5pm.