DAVID NICHOLSON, who dominated the Aintree meeting with six winners, is set to mount a strong challenge on the Punchestown festival, which starts in 12 days time.
The top English trainer said yesterday he could have over six1 runners at Punchestown, including well known names like Viking Flagship, Escartefigue and Mulligan. Nicholson has made 18 entries in all, the biggest team among the 122 British-trained entrants. Martin Pipe is next in line with 11.
this year's three-day festival will have a total prize fund of £530,000, with the £60,000 Heineken Gold Cup on Wednesday the richest single prize.
Also yesterday, details were announced of a £7 million development plan for Punchestown. Part of that plan is to develop Punchestown as an equestrian centre, but the racecourse will be widened in frog of the grandstand to relieve pressure on the straight during the racing season.
A new enclosure will also be built and will feature a three-storey building running the length of the grandstand which will the able to cater for 8,000 people under cover.
The Irish Horseracing Authority has sanctioned a £2.75 million grant towards the plan which is due to be completed before the start of the 1998 festival.
James Osborne, chairman of the Punchestown management committee, said: "Punchestown is now destined to become a major equestrian centre which will be in operation 12 months of the year."
