Kilbeggan meetings next week are cancelled

The two-day Kilbeggan fixture scheduled for Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26, will not take place.

Horse Racing Ireland, in a statement this afternoon, confirmed the cancellation of the fixtures came "following a request from the Kilbeggan Racecourse Committee".

The long-serving manager of the races Paddy Dunican died on April 6 last.

A spokesperson for the committee said the cancellation was "a mark of respect" to the late Mr Dunican.

Consequently, Horse Racing Ireland has announced two alterations to the fixture list.

Wexford will now take place on Thursday evening, April 25. This meeting closes for entries by 12 noon this Thursday, April 18 with declarations to run to be made by 10am on Tuesday, April 23. This meeting replaces the Wexford meeting from April 5 which was postponed due to the weather.

Downpatrick will now take place on Friday evening, April 26. This meeting, which features The Randox Ulster National Handicap Steeplechase, will close for entries next Monday, April 22 with declarations to run to be made by 10am on Wednesday, April 24. This meeting replaces the Downpatrick meeting which was cancelled on Sunday, April 7.