All five Classics set for Leopardstown switch

ALL five Irish Classics in 2010 and the 2009 Irish Field St Leger will be run at Leopardstown while the Curragh undergoes redevelopment.

The plan had originally been to continue racing at the Curragh with temporary facilities. But following a meeting of the members of the Turf Club this week, the Kildare track will now shut on 26 July 2009 and reopen in March 2011.

Problems with planning permission caused many of the delays in starting the €100m project while many of the major contracts are now to be re-tendered.