Thurles fails to end the famine

HOPES OF an end to Ireland’s racing famine at Thurles tomorrow were dashed yesterday when the scheduled all-hurdles fixture was cancelled. The chase course at Thurles, which is due to host an all-steeplechase card on Friday, was also unraceable yesterday.

It left the Thurles manager Pierce Molony consulting with Horse Racing Ireland last night about possible rescheduling.

“I would be very confident about the hurdles meeting going ahead on Saturday if it can be pushed back,” Molony said last night.

“The snow is gone from here today but the wind has been unnatural and made things very cold,” added Molony

The situation at Naas on Saturday and at Fairyhouse and Cork, which are scheduled to race on Sunday, continues to be monitored.

Meanwhile in Britain Musselburgh and Fontwell are on standby to stage additional jumps fixtures on Saturday.

BHA officials have provisionally added Musselburgh and Fontwell to the calendar as officials at both tracks are hopeful of defeating the cold snap.

The cards will be triggered later in the week in the event of further abandonments at Warwick and Wetherby on Saturday.