Liam Quinlan returns from ban

JUMP jockey Liam Quinlan has been allowed to apply for a new riding licence, having served a nine-month suspension for a positive drugs test. Quinlan, from Thurles in Co Tipperary, rode mainly for trainer John Ryan before his ban.

Amateur rider Shane Baragry has been handed a four-year ban following a failed drugs test at a point-to-point last November. After hearing that the rider had “approached the matter in the correct way”, the Referrals Committee told Baragry they would allow the rider to reapply for his licence in December of this year, subject to a hearing to confirm he had complied with any random testing or other requirements set out by the IHRB senior medical officer, Dr Jennifer Pugh.

Clonmel’s Tuesday fixture switch

TESTING conditions are likely at Clonmel’s replacement fixture on Tuesday, following the cancellation of last Thursday’s meeting due to waterlogging. Fresh entries were taken on Thursday and racing starts at 12.50pm. Sub-zero temperatures are forecast for early next week at night.

New Killarney chairman appointed

BILLY O’Sullivan is the new chairman of Killarney Racecourse. He succeeds Gerard Coughlan who has completed six years in the post. O’Sullivan is a prominent property consultant and served as vice-chairman for the duration of Coughlan’s term of office.

Coughlan said: “I am delighted to hand the reins over to Billy. It has been a tough few years without crowds at our track for almost two years but we have pulled through the pandemic well and maintained a healthy balance sheet.”

Goffs Thyestes entries published

WILLIE Mullins and Gordon Elliott are responsible for 19 of the 31 entries for the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, on Thursday, January 26th. Likely top-weight is the Mullins-trained Franco De Port.

British flat races downgraded

SIX listed races and three Group 3 races have been wiped from British racing’s flat pattern. The changes were announced on Friday as part of the British Horseracing Authority’s ongoing work to improve the performance of blacktype races.

The downgraded races are:

• Listed Leisure Stakes, Windsor Racecourse (6f, 3yo+, May)

• Listed Royal Windsor Stakes, Windsor racecourse (8f, 3yo+, May)

•Listed Fairway Stakes, Newmarket Racecourse (10f, 3yo, May)

•Listed Buckhounds Stakes, Ascot Racecourse (12f, 4yo+, May)

•Listed Midsummer Stakes, Windsor Racecourse (8f, 3yo+, July)

•Listed Denford Stakes, Newbury Racecourse (7f, 2yo, August)

•Group 3 Supreme Stakes, Goodwood Racecourse (7f, 3yo+, August)

•Group 3 March Stakes, Goodwood Racecourse (14f, 3yo, August)

•Group 3 Legacy Cup Stakes, Newbury Racecourse (11f, 3yo+, September)