HRI approves capital grant aid of €1.2m for Punchestown racecourse

Horse Racing Ireland has approved capital grant aid to the tune of almost €1.2m for track improvements at Punchestown racecourse.

The grant, which covers 40 per cent of the cost of works – that will see the existing home straight at the track widened by 35 metres and, separately, an extension to the current track layout to create a new 1-mile start for Flat races which will mean races on the Flat of up to that distance being run with one bend into the home straight.

The newly constructed area would also be used to start National Hunt races, and topsoil will be harvested from elsewhere on the Punchestown complex to create the seedbed for the new extension to ensure consistency of ground quality.

A new irrigation system at the racecourse is also to be installed and three new reservoirs with the capacity to store up to 90,000 litres of water are to be constructed. The works will be completed in two phases, with phase one, beginning in June, focusing on widening the track in the home straight with phase two being the track extension. A deadline for the delivery of the upgrading of the irrigation system has been set for October 31, 2024.

Suzanne Eade, CEO of HRI, said: "Over the next two years HRI will invest significantly through the Capital Development Fund and specifically via the HRI Track Works & Industry Facilities Scheme. The proposed projects at Punchestown Racecourse will significantly aid both National Hunt racing and Flat racing at the venue. It will expand track capacity, ensure a high quality watering system with sufficient local water reserves and upgrade the ambulance roadways."

Demoted horse wins back Southwell race after Oliver Greenall's plea on appeal

The Questioner, demoted for interference he caused at Southwell last month, has been reinstated as the winner of that handicap hurdle after a successful appeal by his trainer, Oliver Greenall.

It is the latest case to highlight the difficulties of Britain's interference rules, with an independent judicial panel differing from the raceday stewards and the BHA as to which horse would have won without the interference.

Hillview had closed to within three parts of a length when he was squeezed against the outside rail shortly after the final flight in the March 21 race. The BHA's Charlotte Davison told the panel he had made up more than a length in the previous eight strides. "Had he not been interfered with, it seems abundantly clear he would have made up the remaining three-quarters of a length and more."

Greenall countered that The Questioner was a young, green horse who was not at full stretch at the time but was instead "waiting for company" and would have rallied if Hillview had ever come alongside. "He has won easily by a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths, going away. Hillview coming to him would only have helped. You cannot argue that he would have been beaten."

Delivering the verdict, James O'Mahony said Hillview had suffered "a very significant loss of momentum" but added that the panel was not persuaded he would have won in any case. "We do look carefully at the way in which The Questioner was travelling in the final 13 strides. It looks to us as if it was a case of a green horse improving for the presence, the increasing presence, of a companion."

"It's the first one I've ever done, I was a bit nervous," Greenall said afterwards. "Obviously, there was a lot of interference but I always felt it wasn't enough to say the other one would have won. I'm absolutely delighted, for the owners and everyone.

"To have that in your head, when you win by that distance, to be thinking it could get taken away from you... Week in, week out, you see instances like that and if they were all turned over, it would be ridiculous."

But Gary Hanmer, trainer of Hillview, said he was surprised and disappointed. "If we'd have kept going on our racing line, we'd have been brought down. Sean [Bowen] had to snatch up. Craig [Nicol] made no effort to straighten his horse up. Thankfully, nobody was hurt but it's cost us the race."

Nicol was suspended for four days by the Southwell stewards, a punishment which he did not appeal and is now serving. Both horses have won since.

Leading Derby hope Antarah ruled out for rest of the season

Leading Cazoo Derby hope Antarah, who has been supported into 14-1 with many bookmakers for the Epsom Classic in recent weeks, has suffered a setback and will miss the rest of the season, connections have confirmed.

The son of Sea The Stars, owned by Shadwell Estate, had looked an exciting prospect for John and Thady Gosden when scoring on his debut in a mile novice at Newcastle last October. He landed odds of 8-11 by three and a quarter lengths from Savvy Victory, with the runner-up boosting that form when winning at Pontefract on Monday.

Paul Binfield of Paddy Power said: "We've seen steady support for Antarah this spring who had looked a promising type when winning at Newcastle, form that was backed up by the second winning easily at Pontefract on Monday. This is extremely disappointing news for connections."

BoyleSports in fresh link-up with Fairyhouse

BoyleSports are the new sponsor of the Grade 1 novice chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday, April 17, in which Galopin Des Champs and Bob Olinger both feature among the 23 entries.

Alex Fussey and Steven Powell to join racecourse commentary roster in June

Alex Fussey and Steven Powell have been announced as new racecourse commentators in Britain and will join the RaceTech roster at the start of June.

Fussey started his commentating career in swimming and moved onto point-to-points, pony racing and live studio commentaries, while Powell, a raceday presenter at several tracks including Newmarket, has experience from calling point-to-points and through bookmaker radio and betting shop commentaries.

James Gray, chair of the Commentators User Group said: "The quality of applicants was outstanding, highlighting the level of talent and enthusiasm that is out there.

"RaceTech is pleased to have managed the selection process and we look forward to welcoming Alex and Steven at British fixtures this summer, following some further familiarisation and training."

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