For the third week, races scheduled to take place in Ireland have been scrapped by the ICF due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. Seven events were due to be held this weekend, including the Patrick's Day Dublin-Drogheda handicap and the Jim McQuaid memorial in the Phoenix park.

The TQ Paper Women's two-day event set for April 6th and 7th is also a confirmed casualty. It may be September before the race will take place.

By contrast, the FBD Milk Ras is still on, as the May 20th start provides a greater opportunity for the crisis to end.

Meanwhile, racing continues uninterrupted abroad. Following Ciaran Power's strong fourth-place finish in last Sunday's GP de Lillers, the St Quentin professional competes this weekend in the 1.5 ranked Circuit du Brabant Wallon in Belgium. CCC Mat's David McCann begins the three-day Jadranska Magistrala in Croatia today, while Brian Kenneally will line out in a French elite race in Pertuis tomorrow.

Elsewhere, former women's national champion Susan O'Mara debuts with the Team Letchworth Extran squad in the Tour of Malta on Thursday.

Finally, David O'Loughlin secured his release from the ASPTT Montpellier side last week and has taken up his place with the CC Nogent-sur-Oise team. No-one has yet been named to the slot vacated by O'Loughlin on the Team Ireland squad.