The steeplechase races at Leopardstown on Saturday were short one fence due to vandalism. The second obstacle past the stands was burned by vandals last Wednesday and it was not possible to re-build the fence in time.

Saturday's crowd of 7,647 was down by 1,235 on the 1998 Ladbroke figure. The betting figures were also down. Bookmaker turnover was £657,389, which was down £5,183 on last year. The Tote figure was £238,958, down £10,213 on 1998.

Trainer Francis Flood has not given up hope of getting his top novice, To Your Honour, to Cheltenham for the SunAlliance Hurdle.

The Grangecon handler expects the gelding to return from Joe O'Donnell's veterinary practice in the next couple of days. To Your Honour is on the easy list with rib injuries after his fall at Naas eight days ago. "Rib injuries can be very tricky but hopefully we can still get him to Cheltenham," Flood said yesterday.