Racing:Officials at Punchestown are not expecting the volcanic ash cloud to affect the British raiding party at their big meeting this week. Connections have been quick to make alternative travel plans following major restrictions to air travel caused by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.
The first horses from the UK are expected at the track by early evening and many of the 15,000 overseas racegoers still hope to make the trip.
Among those travelling is trainer Paul Nicholls, whose team includes Twist Magic and Denman.
"The horses are currently en route to the ferry and will be arriving as scheduled," said the Ditcheat handler. "Personally we tried getting a private plane, but it too has been cancelled so we are now booked onto the ferry and it's only an hour from the port to Punchestown so we'll be there on Tuesday and are really looking forward to it."
North Yorkshire-based trainer Ferdy Murphy, who runs the smart chaser Kalahari King, detailed his arrangements.
"Kalahari King is already at Holyhead and we are sailing out of Stranraer to Larne tomorrow evening after racing in Hexham, where there's a will there's a way," he said.
Punchestown general manager Dick O'Sullivan said: "We very much value our UK customers and we are disappointed that many of them won't be able to join us this year but heartened by the extraordinary efforts many have made to be in Punchestown this week."