WATERING is being considered at Punchestown ahead of next week’s Festival, despite March being one of the wettest months on record in Ireland.

Ground conditions at the Co Kildare track were described as “good to yielding” on all three courses yesterday. The weather forecast is for an “unsettled weekend” but officials say they are monitoring the situation with regard to watering.

Richie Galway, Punchestown’s racing manager, said: “The ground can dry out very quickly at this time of year, so there may be a need for watering but the forecast suggests there is enough rain around this weekend to keep it safe. We’re very happy with all the tracks, how they look, and we are monitoring it closely.”

Fresh ground will be provided on the hurdles track on all five days of the Festival. The chase track will have fresh ground “when and where needed”.

Following a wet spring which saw Cheltenham, Fairyhouse and Aintree run on soft ground, the prospect of a drier surface for a major National Hunt festival appears to have encouraged more entries. “Last year we had 154 entries at the six-day stage for the opening day and this year we have 222,” noted Galway. “One of the reasons for that could be the addition of the Full Circle Series Handicap Hurdle to Tuesday’s card but many of the other races have also attracted bigger fields than usual.”

In a change from previous years, racing starts at the earlier time of 2.30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday before reverting to 3.40pm on Thursday.