Leopardstown may close for two years

The Turf Club admitted yesterday it will face a major headache in re-arranging the fixtures lost by the imminent closure of Leopardstown but refused to begin any contingency plans until the outlook for the Dublin track has been firmed up.

The Irish Horseracing Authority's chief executive, Martin Moore, repeated yesterday that Leopardstown will close for a period due to major renovations surrounding the M50 ring-road project. There has been speculation that period could last up to two years but Moore wouldn't be drawn regarding a precise time scale on a development that could mean a radical new car parking scheme on the infield as well as a new six-furlong sprint track.

"I can't give answers on the time issue because I don't know. It will depend on the extent of the work and we won't know that until our negotiations with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council have ended. A plan has to be drawn up with the council and we don't know yet how that will impact on the track or the extent of the impact on the internal layout of the track," Moore said.

It is widely believed racing will be possible at Leopardstown until September 8th's Champion Stakes is run, but there are likely to be a number of racecourses queuing up for prestige races like the Hennessy Gold Cup, the AIG Champion Hurdle and the lucrative four-day Christmas festival.

The Turf Club's chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, said yesterday: "Leopardstown takes more meetings than any other track in the country and there will be a major re-allocation involved. But there is no point having a contingency plan until we know exactly what we are planning for. We are waiting for Leopardstown to advise us."

The highlight at Navan tomorrow will be the reappearance of the Irish National winner, Davids Lad, in the £30,000 EBF Chase Final. Tony Martin's horse is now on a mark of 141 for his big-race success and in a small field the horse could be vulnerable to the easy Tipperary winner, Sunset Lodge.