Affordability checks stalemate

NO decision has been made on the controversial implementation of affordability checks on bettors in Britain, after the Gambling Commission board met on Thursday to assess evidence presented to it.

The racing industry and bookmakers believe the measures, which involve credit reference agencies and can ask punters to provide sensitive financial information, will increasingly force people into using the black market and have dire consequences for the sport.

A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission said an update on the matter will be “communicated further in due course.”

Point winner is disqualified after test

HANDLER Thomas Byrne has been given fines totalling €3,500 and seen his first-time-out four-year-old point winner Nevershedatear disqualified after the mare tested positive for phenylbutazone (described as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine). Byrne explained that there may have been some confusion regarding the administration of pre-mixed feed that he had prepared in advance of being absent from the yard for two days prior to the race at Borris House in March 2025. He said Nevershedatear possibly received feed containing phenylbutazone, which was not intended for her (another horse had been prescribed the same at the time).

Clonmel chases switch over ground

DUE to current ground conditions and a prolonged period of mainly dry and warm weather, three chase races have been removed from Clonmel’s card on Friday, June 5th.

Details of additional hurdle races for this fixture, and other programme changes, are available online through HRI, with June fixtures at Listowel (1st), Punchestown (6th) and Roscommon (8th) impacted by the changes.

Breeder of the Month award< winne/ch> winner

BOB Olinger’s farewell Grade 1 success at the Punchestown Festival helped Ken Parkhill to win the Connolly’s Red Mills Breeder of the Month competition for April.

Robcour’s popular 11-year-old won five times at Grade 1 level, including at three Cheltenham Festivals.