Sponsors give IHA a problem

The Irish Horseracing Authority are gearing themselves to pick up the sponsorship tab as a result of the National Hunt festival being switched from Punchestown.

The first of three days at Fairyhouse will begin in two weeks' time, with Leopardstown on April 27th picking up the last day, but although certain races are being switched from their traditional slots in the festival schedule, there are still concerns about significant sponsors dropping out.

Yesterday spokesman Tony Corcoran confirmed the IHA will meet any shortfall in the close on £1 million festival prizefund if sponsors fall away and admitted: "A few big sponsors one way or another will make a big difference."

The news last evening was worrying for Irish racing's financial bosses as a Punchestown spokesman reported just two of the Grade One race sponsors have to date confirmed their willingness to continue their promotion despite the switch.

The director of racing, Richie Galway, said: "Most companies remain very supportive, but obviously they are Punchestown sponsors and they are not so eager when the festival doesn't take place here. BMW, for instance, have been here for 21 years and are not so eager to move to an alternative venue."

Galway added that the #115,000 Shell Champion Hurdle, in which Istabraq is a possible starter, has been confirmed for Leopardstown and that the Swordlestown Cup will be run at Fairyhouse on Thursday, April 26th. The paddypower.com Champion Flat race will now be run at Leopardstown rather than in its usual slot on the third day of the festival. The Fighting Blindness Novice Chase, formerly the Bradstock, is also confirmed, but the news is less certain about other high-profile events such as the £125,000 Heineken Gold Cup, the £85,000 IAWS Champion Juvenile Hurdle or the £80,000 BMW Chase.

Bitterness remains over the Turf Club's decision last week not to pass the Punchestown track fit for racing, with high-profile trainers Arthur Moore and Jessica Harrington being particularly vehement in their criticism of the Turf Club call.

However, the Trainers' Association chairman, Willie Mullins, yesterday refused to join in the criticism of the Turf Club staff who refused to pass the course fit for racing.

Mullins said: "The popular opinion of the majority of the Association members appears to be that they had a job to do and they did it. I don't think you can quibble about that. We depend on the inspector of courses for safety, he made his decision and so be it."

Other critics of the cancellation have been the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners and riders such as Conor O'Dwyer, who rode on the track in a trial last week.