AFTER a lengthy attempt to try and beat the dense fog that blanketed most of the country on Saturday the authorities at Thurles were finally forced to concede defeat early in the afternoon and abandon the last pre-Christmas fixture in Ireland.

Initially the decision was taken to delay racing by half an hour and an improvement in the situation looked set to pay off. However, conditions deteriorated to the extent that the runners for the first were recalled to the parade ring and at 1.10pm the decision was taken to abandon.