Today's scheduled Pontefract fixture was called off because the track couldn't obtain guarantees about ambulance cover. That was a casualty of the current fuel dispute in Britain but the Turf Club has to monitor the developing truck drivers dispute and how it might effect racing in this country.

The threat of a major road blockade coincides with tomorrow's fixture at Downpatrick and the Turf Club chief executive Brian Kavanagh said yesterday: "We will take declarations as normal, at 10 am, and we will monitor the situation as it unfolds. Any decision that needs to be taken will be taken."

Katiykha attracted the main interest yesterday in betting exchanges for Saturday's Jefferson Smurfit Irish St Leger. John Oxx's charge was cut to 6 to 1 (from 7s) by Cashmans for the Curragh showpiece.

Cashmans betting: 3-1 Arctic Owl, 5-1 Mutafaweq, 11-2 Yavana's Pace, Katiykha, 7-1 Little Rock, 8-1 Churlish Charm, 9-1 Chimes At Midnight, 10-1 Media Puzzle, 14-1 Orchestra Stall, 16-1 Chiang Mai, 25-1 bar.