RACING:THE CURRAGH looks like continuing to be the Home of the Classics for some time to come after confirmation that the €100 million redevelopment of Irish racing's headquarters has been put on hold.

It brings to a halt a long-running saga over a project which has been plagued with planning difficulties and delays since the idea of redeveloping Ireland's most famous racetrack was first proposed five years ago.

The Turf Club declared yesterday they were putting the development on the back-burner because it is "inappropriate" to continue due to the present uncertain economic climate.

However, they insisted the project is a priority and that it will recommence when the timing is more suitable.

"It will be kept under review with a view to reinstating it once economic conditions are more favourable," said Turf Club senior steward Nick Wachman.

Work on the final two phases of the Curragh redevelopment had been due to start next July, with the course set to close for 18 months until opening again in March 2011.

On that basis, the re-allocation of the Curragh's fixtures for that period were outlined in July, with Leopardstown set to host next year's St Leger as well as the five Classics in 2010.

Racing's ruling body, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), now face having to rejig the fixture list for 2009 again as the Curragh authorities have confirmed they hope to regain their old dates.

As Leopardstown is owned by HRI, there doesn't appear to be a problem with the 2010 Classic dates returning to the Curragh, and HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh yesterday indicated his preference for next year's Leger going back as well.

"Personally I believe the St Leger should be run at the Curragh if it is open at that time," Kavanagh said.

"It will not be as straight-forward with other tracks who have been allocated Curragh dates, so all parties will need to sit down and discuss the matter."

Naas had been handed its first prestigious Group One race in 2009 with the Moyglare Stud Stakes moved there, as well as the hugely lucrative Goffs Millions races.

Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan said the Curragh owners were "very disappointed" at yesterday's developments, but said it would be "wrong" to proceed with the building of new grandstands and other facilities in economic conditions he described as "unprecedented".

"We also have to factor in the whole funding of racing after the recent budget developments," he said. "There is no date in mind for when work could begin again because this sudden economic downturn has caught a lot of people by surprise. But at the earliest suitable opportunity we will be looking to reinstate the project."

Racing's funding from Government was cut by over €6 million in the budget and the Horse and Greyhound Fund is up for renewal in February.

Kavanagh welcomed the decision by the Turf Club and stressed that racing's authorities still see the redevelopment of the Curragh as a long-term aim.

He also said other capital development fund projects will have to be placed in the context of long-term security for racing's funding.

The first phase of the Curragh redevelopment, which would see facilities catering for up to 64,000 people, was completed in May of last year when a new ring-road was installed.

However, the major elements of the plan have been dogged by delays, with phases two and three of the project spending 16 months with An Bord Pleanála during which time there were nine deferrals before planning permission was finally granted last February.

"Even in February no one could have foreseen the economic situation we have now," Denis Egan said yesterday. "But there is no doubt that the planning delays haven't helped us."

The Curragh redevelopment was first encouraged by the Aga Khan at a Moyglare dinner speech in 2003 when he made a gift of the Stand House Hotel, which is situated at the back of the grandstands. The cost of that gesture has been estimated at €15 million.

The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition takes the second step on his comeback campaign at Thurles today, and it will be a major shock if he doesn't win with the minimum of fuss.

Five opponents line up against War Of Attrition in the €20,000 Thurles Chase, but any "bounce factor" from the favourite's return to action at Punchestown last month would have to be considerable in order for any of them to fancy their chances.

There were 19 lengths between War Of Attrition and Kicking King at Punchestown in a performance that saw Mouse Morris's star re-enter Gold Cup calculations at a general 25 to 1.

There shouldn't be too much change in those odds after today even if, as expected, the Michael O'Leary-trained nine-year-old enjoys little more than an exercise blow out.

Curragh timetable

2003 Aga Khan makes a gift of the Stand House Hotel to the Turf Club at an estimated cost of €15 million.

2006 Work begins on Phase One of €100 million face-lift - a new ring road.

2007 Phase One is completed in May. After 16 months with An Bord Pleanála, final planning permission is granted in February for phases two and three, which include new grandstands.

2008 In July, Curragh dates are re-allocated between July 2009 and March 2011.

2008 In November, The Turf Club announce the building programme is on hold.