James Nicholson, chairman of Down Royal racecourse, said yesterday that the big race fixtures at Cheltenham and at Down Royal next month should never have been allowed to clash.

Nicholson was replying to a report in the Racing Post in which Cheltenham's manager of commercial operations, Peter McNeile, said: "We are disappointed at next month's clash of fixtures when the appearance of Looks Like Trouble at Down Royal threatens to deflect the focus from our meeting."

Nicholson said: "When the fixture dates were first announced, I spoke to Cheltenham and appealed to the Irish Turf Club to revise them but without success.

"We are of course delighted that the Gold Cup winner and Florida Pearl, the runner-up, have been entered in our feature event along with the cream of chasing talent.

"Next year, both courses have separate dates but I will contact Peter McNeile and we will work together to provide the best racing for our customers.

"It certainly was not our intention to deflect attention from the Cheltenham fixture, but early indications are that the Ulster Champion Chase Day is set to be a sell-out."

A total of 305 different horses from a record 16 countries have been entered for the four Hong Kong International races. Hong Kong's top domestic performers will have plenty to contend with on December 17th as they face champions from across the globe.

Last year's winner Jim And Tonic heads the entries for the Hong Kong Cup.

The Francois Doumen-trained globetrotter could face Godolphin representatives Mutafaweq and Fantastic Light while Irish Champion Stakes first and second, Giant's Causeway and Greek Dance, are also entered.

Godolphin have put Muhtathir, Diktat and Bertolini for the Mile.