Number of jumps meetings in Ireland rises by 20 per cent

There was a massive 20 per cent rise in the number of jumps fixtures in Ireland during April, May and June of this year compared to the same period in 2016.

There were 44 jumps meetings over those three months in 2016 but that number rose sharply to 55 over an identical period in 2017. The knock-on effect of that was five fewer Flat fixtures, falling from 53 in 2017 to 48 in 2017.

Ger Lyons and Jim Bolger both voiced concerns in recent weeks about the lack of opportunities for Flat horses and the statistics for the second quarter of 2017 adds weight to their argument.