Racing to resume in North next week

Racing in Northern Ireland is set to resume at Downpatrick next week after four months because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Downpatrick have announced they will go ahead with their two-day fixture on Friday May 18th and Saturday May 19th.

Racecourse manager Iain Duff said: "We have put all the protocols in place for the meeting and have received the all-clear from the Northern Ireland Executive.

"All that remains is for the Irish government to allow Southern horses to cross the border and I believe an announcement to this effect will be made within the next few days. Entries for our meeting close on Saturday."

PA