Horse Racing: The first Sunday race meeting run in Northern Ireland will take place on March 21st at Downpatrick racecourse, Co Down, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) confirmed yesterday.

The course had been due to stage a meeting on March 24th, but opted to switch after confirmation that the necessary legislation to allow Sunday racing with on-course betting has been approved by the British Government and will come into effect from February 26th.

The HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "Sunday racing has been very successful in the Republic since its introduction in 1985. HRI is pleased it is able to sanction the first ever Sunday meeting with betting to be held in Northern Ireland through the transfer to March 21st. A second Sunday meeting will also be held in the North on September 12th."

Tony McCoy could be back in the saddle as soon as next week after learning yesterday that he will not need surgery for his broken cheekbone.