The Turf Club are optimistic that the Down Royal meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will go-ahead despite the unstable political situation in Northern Ireland.

Nevertheless, the position is under constant review and the tension surrounding the parades issue in the North has raised doubts about whether the stalls handlers and the jockeys valets will travel to Down Royal. Their concern is believed to centre on insurance difficulties connected with travelling north. "We're optimistic racing will go ahead, but it would be a brave man who could say for definite that it will," said the Turf Club chief executive, Cahir O'Sullivan, yesterday.

"I have been speaking to the course chairman, Jim Nicholson, and the course manager, Michael Todd, and they are both bullish. Newry is totally clear and at the moment racing goes ahead."