A FEW very significant changes in the management of Irish tracks were confirmed yesterday. Declan O’Halloran has stepped down from the top position at the new Limerick Stadium a little over three weeks after the first night at the track. Meanwhile, An Taoiseach’s brother Barry Cowen has been appointed to the vacant General Manager position at Mullingar.

With still two days to go before the deadline, the entry list for the Paddypower.com Irish Derby had reached 100 and the signs are that the final number will be very close to the ideal number of 144.

Last year’s Irish Derby finalist Headleys Bridge has been withdrawn from Saturday’s heats of the Boylesports.com Champion Stakes at Shelbourne and he will be replaced by first reserve Slick Sioux.

CLEARWATER JACK can strengthen his claims in the AIB Bank Stakes at Curraheen Park by taking the first of tonight’s semi-finals of the €11,000 to-the-winner event.