Fixture changes

THE recent wet spell has forced the Suirvale Foxhounds to cancel their Sunday, April 2nd fixture at Fairyhill.

There are also several fixture changes in the Galway region. The North Galways, having lost their March 12th meeting at Belclare, have rescheduled for Sunday, April 9th. The Blazers had been due to race on April 9th at Dartfield but they have now moved to Sunday, April 30th, that date now free following the cancellation of the Galway Foxhounds’ fixture at Eyrecourt.

Gain Final

THE final of the competitive Gain Mares Series takes place at Ballynoe on Sunday week, April 2nd. The final is open to mares who were maidens at the start of the season and which have not won a race under rules in any country other than point-to-points.

Gain Horse Feeds and Ballynoe Hunt will present a bonus of €3,000 to the winning owner, making it the richest point-to-point race held in Ireland and the UK in recent years. Last year’s final went to Thegirlfrommilan for trainer Declan Queally and jockey Ciaran Fennessy. Closing date for entries is next Tuesday, March 28th.

Vincent’s day at Liscarroll

IT’S 100 years since the late Vincent O’Brien was born in the parish of Churchtown and Liscarroll, and his great achievements in racing will be celebrated at tomorrow’s Liscarroll fixture. As covered in recent editions, the organisers have put together a display of racing silks, photographs and other memorabilia for racegoers to enjoy. All the day’s races are named after some of the best horses trained by ‘M.V.’