Thaw boost for coursing

THE gradual thaw has greatly improved conditions on most coursing stretches around the country, resulting in most meetings going ahead this weekend.

Rathdowney takes place today and tomorrow, but the All Age Bitch Stake and the Shelly Cup (Duffer) have been cancelled. Coursing commences at 11.30am on both days with a new order of running.

Glanworth goes ahead today and Sunday with East Donegal scheduled for tomorrow and Monday.

The Ardpatrick and Kilfinane meeting goes ahead tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. Dungarvan have postponed a day and will run tomorrow and Monday with the same applying for Newcastlewest.

Ennis/Clarecastle have postponed by a day and will also run tomorrow and Monday. Due to a bereavement, coursing tomorrow will not commence until 1pm. Castletowngeoghegan has been postponed to Saturday December 18 and Sunday 19. Original draw will stand.

Nenagh will not course on their scheduled dates, Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19. No decision has been made on new dates.

Meanwhile the draw for reserves in the Derby and Oaks will be made on Wednesday, December 15.

There are 12 reserve positions in the Derby and 11 in the Oaks. Chiang Mia, who won the Reserve TS at Mitchelstown, subsequently won a full Oaks trial stake at Killimer Kilrush).

The Reserve Trial Stakes which have yet to be run are as follows:

Derby: Ennis/Clarecastle, South Clare, Sevenhouses and Macroom

Oaks: East Donegal, Tradaree, Dundalk and Galbally.