Wexford Racecourse Advance Inspection

An inspection of Wexford Racecourse took place today, Tuesday, 8th March, in advance of the fixture scheduled for 17th March 2011.  The track was inspected by the Turf Club Inspector of Courses Val O’Connell and Turf Club Clerk of the Course Paddy Graffin.  Also present were both Jim Kavanagh, CEO of the Trainers Association, and Michael Murphy, Wexford Racecourse Manager.  In addition, five horses trained by local trainers and ridden by both professional and amateur riders cantered and galloped around the track.  The hurdle track has been deemed fit for racing at present.  However, there are false patches of ground on the steeplechase track in the vicinity of the home straight which are unraceable at present and are not expected to improve.  This has arisen as a result of the ground not drying out sufficiently after the wet winter months.  It has therefore been decided to cancel the steeplechases scheduled to take place at the fixture on 17th March.  The remaining races will be divided to form a six race programme.

In accordance with normal inspection procedures, the course will be inspected again next Monday, 14th March, in advance of the scheduled fixture.

The ground at Wexford is currently soft, yielding in places.