Christy Roche, who escaped serious injury after being kicked by a two-year-old colt in the parade ring at Naas on Wednesday night, hopes to resume riding at the Curragh tomorrow. A spokesperson at Roche's Curragh yard yesterday morning said: "He was very lucky - he only had to have three stitches. He has an ice pack on his right thigh and hopes to resume riding at the Curragh on Saturday."

Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that racegoers, trainers, sponsors and horses are all set to benefit from improvements announced by the directors of W

and T Racecoure Ltd, new operators of the Waterford and Tramore racetrack.

The changes, which will be in place for the track's upcoming August festival meeting (August 14th-17th), will include a new entrance, complete refurbishment of bar and restaurant facilities (including a doubling of the bar area), improved viewing of both parade ring and saddling boxes and a new ramp access for wheelchair racegoers.

Karl Casey, a spokesperson for the new ownership and management, said yesterday: "We are looking forward to the meeting next month with a great deal of optimism, and are confident that the changes made and those scheduled will be immensely beneficial without in any way diminishing the character of the track."