No problems at Cork Cork racecourse has escaped the worst of the Arctic-like weather of recent weeks, and the Mallow venue is looking forward to holding one of their flagship meetings of the season this Sunday. The Grade 2 O'Connell Group Hilly Way Chase is the feature event over two miles, and there is also two Grade 3 races on the card. The O'Connell Group are also sponsoring the Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle over three miles, while the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase (2m1f) is another Grade 3 contest. Cork's marketing manager Mary Kelly said this afternoon: “We haven't had any snow here at all, and the track is in perfect condition. We have fresh ground on the hurdle and chase courses, and could have raced here all last week.” “It's cold here today, about -2C, and we have some freezing fog but the forecast is to get milder from Thursday. We only need one good day at the moment to take any frost out of the ground.” “Unfortunately we will clash on Sunday with some other sporting events such as Munster playing the Ospreys at Thomond Park. But we have a fine card, and I'm sure racegoers will be delighted to be back in action,” added Ms Kelly. There will also be a meeting at Cork next Monday, The fixture originally scheduled there next Tuesday has been moved back 24 hours to accommodate the newly refixed "John Durkan Memorial Chase" meeting at Punchestown.
