THERE has been lots happening at Downpatrick racecourse ahead of their opening meeting of 2018. Ulster National raceday on March 25th is one of the most popular in the region and racecourse manager Richard Lyttle found some time this week to update me on what has been going on.

“We have been very busy during our non-racing period, upgrading and improving almost all of our facilities in one or another way. I think perhaps we have made around 20 improvements throughout the complex, some more obvious than others. In particular we have improved the interior appearance of the stable-yard canteen, the weigh-room and the stewards’ room.