A bomb alert which forced the abandonment of one of Northern Ireland's top horse racing meetings was today declared an elaborate hoax.
Thousands of people were evacuated from the Down Royal course in Hillsborough, County Down yesterday.
Organisers halted the event as army explosives experts were called in to examine a package found at the scene.
Telephone bomb warnings that four devices had been planted were received as record crowds gathered for the event, part of the two-day Northern Ireland Festival of Racing.
But police today confirmed the hoax. The area was still sealed off as officers carried out further searches.
Management at Down Royal who had insisted the security risk was too great to continue with yesterday's card are due to hold a meeting to decide when to stage the rearranged event, including the showpiece Champion Chase.
Course manager Mike Todd, who hit out at those who forced the interruption, has pledged that all bets placed on races not run would be refunded through bookmakers.
