Increased security at Down Royal

News: There will be a visibly increased security presence at Down Royal's Christmas fixture next Monday on the back of last month's high-profile security alert which caused the cancellation of the track's biggest race day.

A mass evacuation of the racecourse had to take place on November 5th when a bomb threat resulted in the abandonment of the James Nicholson Champion Chase card after just two races.

The subsequent high profile media coverage of the incident resulted in some unwanted publicity for the Down Royal authorities but they are confident of the St Stephen's Day fixture going ahead without incident. "I hope we get a quiet one this time," said the Down Royal manager Michael Todd yesterday. "There will be extra security in place and punters will see some of it. But there will be a lot going on behind the scenes. Obviously I'm not prepared to say what."

The ground at Down Royal is currently "soft" and Todd added: "I don't see much change in that by Christmas."

The ground at Limerick ahead of the four day meeting at Greenmount Park is "soft" and little change is expected. "The forecast is settled but it could turn quite cold next week so I don't see much drying," said the Limerick manager Angus Houston. "We will be using fresh ground on the chase course that hasn't been used since June."

Paul Carberry has been put on stand-by to partner Kingscliff in the Stan James King George VI Chase if Robert Walford fails in his race to be fit (collarbone fracture)for the St Stephen's Day showpiece.