Racing: Downpatrick will hold a precautionary inspection this afternoon at 2.30 to see if tomorrow's card can go ahead.

Meanwhile, betting has already stopped ahead of Friday's Turf Club hearing of the appeal into the controversial disqualification of Macs Joy. Almost immediately after the Jessica Harrington-trained horse was thrown out of first place by the Leopardstown stewards on Hennessy Gold Cup day betting began on whether or not Macs Joy would get the race on appeal.

Paddy Power went 8 to 11 about him being reinstated but the only interest they have had is in Kilbeggan Lad keeping the race. "Macs Joy was originally 8 to 11 to get the race and Kilbeggan Lad was evens to keep it. But now Kilbeggan is a hot 4 to 6 favourite to hold the race," said a spokesman yesterday. "Our customers seem to believe the stewards won't change their minds."

The Macs Joy case will be heard on Friday morning along with another controversial inquiry from Hennessy day where the Arthur Moore-trained The Railway Man didn't get a race in the stewards room. Moore is appealing that decision.

On Friday afternoon, the A&R committee will hear the case involving the top amateur Derek O'Connor over an incident at Comber point-to-point almost three weeks ago. A suspension could rule O'Connor out of the middle day of Cheltenham when the four-mile National Hunt Chase is run.