Wednesday, April 16, 2003
PUNCHESTOWN TURNS ON THE TAPS
With 13 days to go to the Irish National Hunt Festival, Punchestown Racecourse has announced that an extensive watering programme has commenced following the dry conditions of recent weeks.
Over an inch of water has already been applied to both the hurdle and chase tracks using an umbilical system backed up by four specially adapted water tankers, each with a capacity of 4000 gallons. Watering will continue on an extensive scale as long as the current dry spell continues in order to ensure good ground at the festival.
Commenting on the developments, racecourse manager, Dick O'Sullivan said, "The ground is currently Good to firm, however, we are watering 14 hours a day to ensure that we get maximum benefit. We are getting 30,000 gallons of water per hour onto the track and we will continue to use this extensive watering programme as long as conditions remain settled. We are confident that the volume of the water applied will ensure genuine good ground is guaranteed at the festival."
CHELTENHAM SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Bumper entries at this week's Cheltenham meetings on Wednesday and Thursday April 16th/17th should ensure good fields for Cheltenham's final days of the season for professional riders. Competitive seven race cards are scheduled for both days, when the first of seven races begins at 1.20pm.
Wednesday's feature event is the Faucets for Mira Showers Silver Trophy Chase over 2 m 5 furlongs, which has produced an above average entry including Lady Cricket, winner of the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November 2000.
Thursday's programme features races designed to nurture British breeding, including the final of the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales/E B F Mares Bumper Final, a £25,000 contest, and one of the most valuable bumpers of the season. The principal jump race is the Lady Rebecca Hurdle, the most valuable handicap restricted to mares. Lady rebecca, a multiple winner at Cheltenham, is due to foal this week.
To celebrate the recent successes of British bloodstock, several recent winners will be parading before racing. Rooster Booster, this year's Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner will return to Cheltenham to the scene of his greatest success, and the most recent of three Cheltenham victories this season.
See More Business, winner of the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999, will be appearing, despite his name being suffixed with IRE for Irish-bred. Connections report a mistake at birth has never been rectified for this British-bred.
Bridesmaid to See More Business in 1999, Go Ballistic has been one of the most enduring competitors of recent years, running with distinction against top class horses since his debut in 1994. His record of 9 wins belies his enthusiasm and gutsy performances.
Grand National victor of 2001 Red Marauder completes the contingent of British-bred winners represented at Cheltenham to promote the interests of home-based breeders.
FUNFAIR FREE FOR ALL AT HUNTINGDON
Huntingdon Racecourse holds the first of three Spring Bank Holiday fixtures this coming Easter Monday. Keen to offer a inexpensive and entertaining family day out, the racecourse are as usual, allowing free entry to all children under 16, offering the normal free funfair rides in the Picnic Car Park and opening a number of family friendly bars.
Racecourse Manager Tina Dawson said; "It is near on a month since we last staged a race meeting and the team are looking forward to seeing all the hard work they have put in during the interim come into fruition. Our Easter Monday fixture is a superb value day out for all the family and should the usual 'April Showers' stay away I feel confident the day will prove a great success.
To ensure the going on Easter Monday is safe 40mm of water has been applied to the course the since 7th April, groundstaff will continue watering until Easter Sunday to make sure the current good to firm going is maintained. It is of utmost importance to all connected with Huntingdon Racecourse to offer good safe jumping ground. Horse welfare will always remain a major issue at Huntingdon Racecourse."
Gates open at 12 noon and the first of seven scheduled races is off at 2.00pm. Admission prices start at £6 in the picnic car park and increase to £12 in the Paddock and then £16 in the Day Members enclosures.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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