MERRY GALE, who has been off the track with a respiratory problem since being pulled in the rescheduled King George VI Tripleprint Chase at Sandown in January, will return to action at Clonmel on Thursday in the Morris Oil Chase, unless the ground is heavy.
However, racecourse manager Jerry Desmond yesterday reported the going to be on the yielding side of good, with no significant change expected during the week.
Jim Dreaper, trainer of Merry Gale, said that the gelding had been hobdayed as a three year old and when the respiratory problem re occurred earlier this year he underwent a tie back operation. "I've no plans for him beyond Thursday. He has got to show us is he's as good as he was, and is getting enough air," he added.
The 13 horses left in the £20,000 race after yesterday's scratching stage are: Antonin, Johnny Setaside, King Of The Gales, Merry Gale, Nuaffe, Love The Lord, Loving Around, Beakstown, Belvederian, Dorans Pride, Royal Mountbrowne, The Crazy Bishop and Love And Porter.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Imperial Call, on the easy list since suffering an over reach two weeks ago which ruled him out of Thursday's race, is expected to be back in action by the end of the month.
Another Cheltenham hero, Klairon Davis, the winner of the Two Mile Champion Chase back in March, is to make his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown on Sunday.
A three minute video produced by the marketing section of the IHA welcoming racegoers and providing information about the racecard and betting will be shown on the close circuit systems at racetracks as part of a campaign to make racing more customer friendly. A brochure will also be available.
