THOUGH it is billed as the St Patrick’s Day meeting, the next race fixture at Down Royal will be held on March 16th, a day before Ireland’s national holiday. With the first meeting under their belt following a change of guard, the new team at the course are now looking ahead to the remaining 11 fixtures in 2019.

With a mixture of flat and National hunt racing scheduled there will be something for everyone this year, and the team’s nerves were well tested with the first meeting in late January. The racecourse had to survive a morning inspection, while a low sun also became a factor, one that was overcome.