JUST three more sleeps until day one of the 2019 Punchestown Festival, but sleep is far from the minds of the racecourse executive. On Thursday they announced exciting plans for a major track development project, something that will no doubt be the subject of much positive chat during the week ahead.

The 2018 Racecourse of the Year is set to widen the finishing straight by about 35 metres, extend a 650 metre chute at the Blackhills (turn out of the back straight) bend, and expand water storage facilities in both areas. A number of additional upgrade works will also be carried out, including extending the tarmac ambulance road, the introduction of a new sand canter to the two-mile start location, and undertaking a full review of the irrigation system.