Crystal clear how perilous the future of Down Royal has become

In less than an hour, the apocalyptic prospect of Down Royal being closed for good at the end of the year had abated somewhat.

Merrion moved to counter the statement released by the existing management company, seemingly reducing the doomsday sentiment that initially prevailed. Still, it has now become crystal clear just how perilous the future of racing at Down Royal has become.

Since it emerged in the summer that Merrion was looking to take control, the sense was that the feud would get resolved. That now looks far less likely, and any outcome that leads to the loss of the existing chairman and executive must be feared as a poor outcome.