Irish racing kicks on

Downpatrick Racecourse, Co Down; Thurles Racecourse, Co Tipperary, Ireland

TRAINERS and jockeys have praised Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) for their decision to keep racing going, albeit behind closed doors. Handler Ger Lyons felt not holding the Cheltenham Festival behind closed doors was something of a “public relations shot in the foot” for racing, but he praised HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh.

“We want to keep the business going but, obviously, not at all costs,” said Lyons. “It would have been