Medical talks near an end

RACING: Negotiations between Ireland's racecourses and doctors on duty at race meetings over pay and conditions are coming to a head in a saga that at one stage in the spring threat'ened to bring racing in this country to a halt.

The Racecourse Medical Officers Association held an EGM on Saturday night at which an offer from the Association of Irish Racecourses was unveiled.

The RMOA members have deliberated on that offer and replied to the AIR but a tight deadline of December 10th has been put in place for agreement between the two sides.

Agreement proved impossible in the spring of this year and matters came to a head in March when the RMOA threatened strike action. Racecourse doctors complained of receiving €254 per day and were looking for double that in order to pay their expenses, including locum cover.

Without doctors on duty at each fixture, racing could not go ahead and the issue was serious enough for the creation of a forum between the RMOA, the AIR, the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland.

RMOA president Dr David Maloney said yesterday: "The forum has undoubtedly been useful in terms of establishing where everyone is on this issue and, in the main, I believe it has been positive. There are disagreements but that is the same in any negotiations."

However, he also conceded that there remains "genuine frustration" among members.

He added: "We would have liked to conclude negotiations on any future arrangements by the end of November but that isn't possible in the present circumstances. There is now a deadline of December 10th because of the demands of a postal ballot among our members."

The health and safety issue on racecourses in Ireland has been in the spotlight recently due to the tragic deaths of jockeys Kieran Kelly and Sean Cleary in just a three-month period.

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins said yesterday he hopes to give his Champion Hurdle hope Davenport Milenium a first start in almost a year in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in 12 days' time.

The former double Grade One winner missed out on last weekend's Morgiana Hurdle but Mullins explained: "He was entered in error. I never had any intention of running him there. But he is going good and we might go for the Hatton's Grace." Davenport Milenium is a 16 to 1 shot with Paddy Power for the Champion Hurdle despite not having run since the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton 11 months ago.

Mullins also confirmed that the Hennessy Gold Cup in February is the likely return date for his chasing stars, Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet. Between them, Florida Pearl (1999-01) and Alexander Banquet (2002) have carved up the major Leopardstown prize in recent years. Both have been hindered by injury.

On Thursday the Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite Beef Or Salmon is set to run in the Clonmel Oil Chase but could end up facing an intriguing cross-channel challenge.

The former champion chaser Edredon Bleu is reported to be a likely runner with trainer Henrietta Knight saying: "Unless there is a monsoon in Ireland, we will travel. There are no other races for him until January so we might as well run him while he is going so well."