WEXFORD Racecourse is set to hold a “trials day” at its meeting on Tuesday, April 21st, where races will be run left-handed on the circuit.

The meeting, an additional fixture for the track this year, will have a full racecard with all services in place to facilitate racing left-handed.

The Turf Club Licensing Committee met at the racecourse on Monday to consider a request to alter racing from clockwise to an anti-clockwise direction, providing all the necessary facilities are in place in order to stage a realistic ‘trial’ raceday.

It was agreed that following the ‘trial’, further consideration will then be given by the Licensing Committee for a permanent arrangement.

Seamus Gibson of the Turf Club told The Irish Field: “Trials day is to explore the possibility of racing left-handed at Wexford on a permanent basis. It depends on the success of the races and how everything works on the day to see if it is viable going forward.”

It is understood that the problem with racing right-handed was the road crossing on the entrance to the home straight. Jockeys have been unhappy crossing the road after the final hurdle and fence as it can unbalance their mounts.

Initial trials racing left-handed held last November evoked positive feedback from jockeys. Racing in a left-handed direction will result in the finish being downhill, but those in favour of the switch say this will be safer.