Punchestown`s plight

The Kildare Hunt Club has up to six weeks to decide if they will accept Horse Racing Ireland`s rescue package for Punchestown.

The HRI chief executive yesterday described the race track`s financial position as 'perilous' and 'critical'. Racing`s ruling body have proposed the formation of a joint venture company whereby Punchestown will be owned 50-50 by HRI and the hunt club.

The HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said the board is offering 'significant' funding and a repayment date of 2016. Upon total repayment, Punchestown would revert fully to the Kildare Hunt Club.

The money is being offered to avoid closure of the famous racecourse as Punchestown`s financial plight demands a relatively quick response from the KHC.

Kavanagh said: 'The financial position of Punchestown is critical, not least following the loss of the festival meeting in 2001, just a year after the completion and funding of a major development plan.'

The fourth day Listowel feature is the €30,000-to-the-winner Smithwicks Handicap Hurdle, where the progressive Mr Wong goes for a fourth success in a row.

A Tipperary flat maiden victory split two hurdles wins at Clonmel and Gowran but today`s contest will be more of a test to Mr Wong`s jumping.

One thing for sure, however, is that he will be fine on the fast ground.

That`s a less certain factor for Sabrinsky but the ex-French horse could improve dramatically for it.

The Meade runner has never run on faster than 'good' but races like a horse who will relish quick conditions, and Tuesday`s Lartigue one-two proves the stable is in form.

Banasan had placed form on fast ground in Britain and also ran third to Swordplay on good to firm in Tramore.

He could be a value alternative to Dermot Weld`s 97-rated Beyond Borders in the four-year-old hurdle.

Lantern Leader has the second chase start of his career today. Michael Hourigan`s smart hurdler was only four lengths off Fnan at Thurles last October and is a fast ground winner at Bellewstown into the bargain.