IHA HOPE FOR EASTER RESTART The Irish Horseracing Authority said today that they hoped to resume racing in Ireland at Easter.The statement came in response to the announcement by Cheltenham that they would hold their Festival meeting on the 17th, 18th and 19th of April which clashes with the Fairyhouse Easter meeting on 15th to 18th.IHA Chief Executive Martin Moore said :'We are hopeful to resume racing at Easter and a decision on whether or not to move the last day of the Fairyhouse festival to Easter Saturday will be made at a meeting this Friday to discuss plans for a possible resumption of racing.'We will be having discussions with the Department of Agriculture regarding the controls needed in place before racing can recommence.'We aim to allocate additional fixtures, and options including running eight race programmes and double fixtures will be examined.'In making the decision on changes to existing dates or the allocation of additional fixtures, issues such as the existing race programme, ground conditions and developments in the UK, including the rescheduling of key fixture dates, are all factors which will be taken into consideration.'
