Dundalk gets go ahead Racing this afternoon at Dundalk passed an inspection at midday after concerns about the all-weather surface. Officials walked the track and a number of senior jockeys voiced their concerns about the surface and kickback but Stewards gave the green light after two horses ridden by Seamie Heffernan and Kevin Manning cantered a lap of the course. A deputation of trainers including Michael Halford, Sheena Collins and David Wachman along with riders Heffernan and Manning aired their views to the stewards before the decision to race was made. The temperature at 8.30am this morning was -3C but has currently risen to 3C. The surface is frozen just a few inches down as you kick into the polytrack. The track was harrowed this morning to help break up the polytrack surface, and the areas around the parade ring are quite icy. The motorway from Dublin to Dundalk Stadium is clear, and driving from Kildare to the track took about an hour and a half. Today's meeting is the first to be held in Ireland for eight days, with Dundalk holding the previous fixture on Friday November 26th. Turf racing has been snowed off since Thurles the previous afternoon. Alan Magee
