Soft going required for Irish challenger
Ground conditions will dictate whether Ted Walsh allows prolific winner Seabass to take his chance in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton on Saturday.
The nine-year-old is unbeaten in his last six starts in Ireland and has landed valuable handicaps at Limerick and Leopardstown.
But with conditions at Kempton currently drying out, Walsh is concerned the ground will not suit his charge.
Seabass also has the option of running in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday, or the paddypower.com Chase at Naas on Sunday.
"It all depends on the weather," said Walsh.
"They are calling the ground good at Kempton and are even talking about watering if the rain doesn't come, which tells me it is pretty quick - that wouldn't suit our horse.
"We've also got him at Fairyhouse and Naas and we'll just see which way the weather is going later in the week.
"We'd like to go to Kempton, but the trouble is you can travel over and then be tempted to run - even if the ground isn't right.
"It's not the same as going down the road to Naas or Fairyhouse and deciding not to run."
Kempton clerk of the course Barney Clifford said watering was a possibility.
He said on Tuesday afternoon: "There is the possibility of us getting a couple of millimetres of rain on Wednesday evening, so we'll see if that materialises and go from there, but it would be nice.
"There has been plenty of moisture in the ground, as you would expect for this time of year, but it is drying out a bit and I wouldn't rule out putting five millimetres of water on during Thursday and Friday if we don't get much more rain.
"I'm only contemplating it at the moment and I won't make any decision on watering until Thursday.
"I'm aiming to maintain good ground for Saturday."
