Wednesday free for Fairyhouse punters after floods hit track
Monday November 30 2009
An overnight deluge, which left Fairyhouse waterlogged, forced the cancellation of yesterday's Bar One Racing-sponsored Winter Festival highlight that's been promptly refixed for Wednesday.
Free admission has been announced by Horse Racing Ireland for the refixed meeting, featuring three Grade One contests, that replaces the original card pencilled in for the Meath venue.
While that session has been postponed until Thursday week, the immediate concern for manager Caroline Gray is the completion of the Winter Festival which started on Saturday, despite the course being enveloped in fog.
"A few showers were forecast for Saturday night, but nothing like the amount of rain we got. Tomorrow should be dry and, although we may have showers on Tuesday, I would be optimistic that racing will go ahead on Wednesday," she said.
An estimated 20 millimetres of rain fell on the track in advance of yesterday morning's unscheduled inspection that left officials with no option but to call off a programme dogged by bad weather in recent seasons. Fresh declarations are required tomorrow morning for the new date and it will be interesting to see how many of the leading performers will remain in contention for the triple Grade One rewards on offer.
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Had the Hattton's Grace Hurdle proceeded as planned yesterday, it would have coincided with the funeral Mass of popular owner John O'Meara, whose Aitmatov was due to attempt a repeat of his 2007 success.
A loyal patron and, indeed, close confidante of Noel Meade, the Thurles native passed away peacefully on Friday at his Pitchfordstown Stud, Kilcock after a long illness and will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
A large crowd attended the funeral in St Coca's Church, Kilcock and burial in the local cemetery. Sincere sympathy is extended to wife Claire, young sons John and Charlie and his mother Mary.
Meanwhile, the former Aidan O'Brien-trained Washington Irving outclassed his rivals as he gave Cork jockey Denis O'Regan an armchair ride on his jumping debut in the opening Novices' Hurdle at Carlisle yesterday.
Bought for 300,000 guineas out of Ballydoyle, he is now trained by Howard Johnson for Graham Wylie and one of his best efforts on the Flat was when finishing fifth, beaten just over seven lengths by the winner New Approach, in the 2008 Epsom Derby.
The ground was very heavy but even-money favourite Washington Irving relished it. He is quoted 16/1 for both the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Half an hour later Alvarado (5/6), also trained by Johnson and carrying the Wylie colours, was given another super confident ride by O'Regan to win the EBF Novices' Hurdle as he pleased.
- Damien McElroy
Irish Independent
