Clerk of the course Paddy Graffin assessed conditions on Friday after rain throughout the week and while it was fit for action at that stage, he called a further inspection for Saturday morning.

More rain overnight has left the track unraceable though, meaning what was supposed to be the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival, highlighted by the Irish Gold Cup, will now be run on Monday.

Graffin will hold an inspection at 8am on Sunday to determine prospects for the original second day of action, which is due to feature an Irish Champion Hurdle clash between Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead.

In a post on X, Graffin said: “Unfortunately since yesterday morning we’ve had a further 17 millimetres, quite a lot of rain overnight and what appeared to be perfectly fine yesterday is now unraceable.

“There’s a further 2mm to 5mm forecast for the rest of the morning, mainly dry thereafter and dry all through tomorrow into Monday evening.

“We will have a look in the morning to see the prospects for racing tomorrow but we are unfit today and racing has been cancelled.”

Sandown will still fly the Grade One flag on Saturday via the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, with the Esher venue having passed a precautionary check at 7.30am.

Wetherby’s card has been cancelled due to a waterlogged track.