Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown moved to a Saturday for the first time

The Unibet Morgiana Hurdle, the first Grade 1 hurdle race of the season in Ireland or Britain, will take place on a Saturday for the first time at Punchestown next month.

The two-mile contest, won last year by Sharjah and three times by Hurricane Fly, has always taken place on a Sunday but it will be brought forward 24 hours to Saturday, November 17, for the 2019 edition.

Punchestown manager Conor O'Neill explained the reason for the switch was purely down to the race sponsor, Unibet.

O'Neill said: "It is very simple really, Unibet also sponsor the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on the Sunday so they requested that the Morgiana be switched to the Saturday. Sponsors are integral and a vital part of racing and we endeavour to do what we can to support them."

Asked whether he thought the Saturday switch might affect crowds, O'Neill replied: "I certainly don't imagine so. I have no issues with the change at all. I don't envisage the crowd suffering. I would be very confident there will be a buzz around the place on the Saturday and we are very much looking forward to the day."

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