Enhancement to National Hunt Pattern Horse Racing Ireland is pleased to announce a further series of upgrades to the Irish National Hunt Pattern race programme for the 2005/6 season. This follows a significant expansion in the number of Black Type opportunities since 2002, which has seen the total rise from 93 to 142, including 8 extra mares races.A summary of the upgrades for the 2005/6 season is provided below:Upgrade from Grade 2 to 1DateRacecourseRace TitleConditions12th Dec 2005 Navan Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial 2m Nov Hurdle Upgrade from Grade 3 to 2DateRacecourseRace TitleConditions5th Feb 2006 Punchestown Tied Cottage 2m Chase 19th Feb 2006 Fairyhouse Bobbyjo 3m 1f Chase 25th Feb 2006 Navan Ten Up 3m Nov Chase 10th Mar 2006 Thurles Michael Purcell 2m Nov Hurdle Upgrade from Listed to Group 3DateRacecourseRace TitleConditions26th April 2006 Punchestown Bewleys Hotels EBF Mares Hurdle 2m Mares Hurdle Upgrade from Grade B to ADateRacecourseRace TitleConditions26th Jan 2006 Gowran Park Thyestes 3m Handicap Chase Upgrade from Grade C to BDateRacecourseRace TitleConditions5th Mar 2006 Leopardstown Mick Holly 2m 5f Handicap ChaseHRI´s Director of Racing Jason Morris commented: - 'Horse Racing Ireland´s National Hunt Pattern Committee reviews the entire Black Type programme on an annual basis to ensure that all Irish Pattern and Listed races are maintaining the appropriate quality. The continuing improvement in the Irish jumping horse population, as reflected by our unprecedented overseas successes during the 2004/5 season, particularly at Cheltenham and Aintree, has allowed HRI to further enhance the Pattern race programme for the benefit of racegoers and professionals alike'.
