Racing:Ascot are to stage the rescheduled Boylesports.com International on a seven-race card on Saturday. The Grade Two Champion Hurdle trial, which should have been run at Cheltenham's abandoned meeting last weekend, will have its full prize-money of £200,000 (€223,000).
It will form part of a tremendous trio of top-class hurdle races which will all be shown live on BBC1.
Race times have been altered to accommodate the International, which will go off at 1.40pm.
The BGC Long Walk Hurdle will now be run 30 minutes later than originally planned at 2.10pm. with The Ladbroke at 2.45pm.
Leon Blanche, head of public relations at Boylesports, said: "Boylesports are delighted to announce that Ascot Racecourse will host the Boylesports.com International on Saturday.
"We'd like to thank Ascot for working so closely with us, as well as the British Horseracing Authority and the other main sponsors during this difficult time.
"This will be a truly fantastic day's racing and probably the greatest day's hurdling ever seen.
"We were so disappointed that Saturday's meeting was called off, but we have done our utmost to ensure trainers, connections and punters don't miss out on what is sure to be an outstanding race.
"We are happy to offer the full prize money, as well as the £200,000 (€223,000) bonus for any horse who wins our race and goes on to win the Champion Hurdle at the Festival."
Closer to home six-time champion jockey Ruby Walsh was at Leopardstown today to launch the bumper festival of racing over the Christmas period.
Walsh made a winning return on Sunday when he rode Scotsirish to victory in Cork, 29 days after having his spleen removed when injured in a fall in Cheltenham.
"For most people there are nine days until Christmas but for me and the racing fraternity there are 10 days before our Christmas starts," said the National Hunt champion jockey.
"There's always a great atmosphere at Leopardstown with big crowds and first-class racing."
The four-day Christmas Festival at Leopardstown runs from December 26th-29th where prize money approaching €1.4 million is on offer.
Earlier this month Leopardstown officials abolished the reserved enclosure and created a single enclosure for all race goers with tickets priced at €20 when purchased in advance and online at www.leopardstown.com.
"The Leopardstown Christmas Festival attracts many of the great National Hunt horses from home and abroad, all poised to go head-to-head in the feature attractions, including the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase, the Paddy Power Chase, the Lexus Chase and the December Festival Hurdle," said Leopardstown General Manager Tom Burke.
"We are delighted with the quality of entries so far and we are looking forward to a great Festival meeting of highly competitive racing."