Bellewstown Race's Wednesday fixture to go ahead following Tuesday abandonment

A track review has confirmed that that Bellewstown's Wednesday meeting will go ahead after three horses slipping caused Tuesday's card to be abandoned after two races.

Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle was injured in a fall at Bellewstown, resulting in him being taken to Drogheda Hospital. The decorated athlete was scheduled to compete in four races on the day, but has now been forced to the sidelines for a number of weeks.

Browne McMonagle was kept in the hospital overnight for assessment, but is expected to make a "full recovery" according to chief medical officer for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, Dr Jennifer Pugh.

Tuesday was the opening card of the two-day festival in Bellewstown, in what is a celebration of the course's 300th anniversary. However, despite a dramatic ending to the first day, Wednesday has been given the green light for racing.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board released the following statement following the abandonment.

"Following the abandonment of racing at Bellewstown after races on Tuesday evening, the IHRB immediately carried out a preliminary review of the incidents.

"The area on the bend where two of the incidents occurred was further inspected by the IHRB Clerk of the Course, Bellewstown ground staff, representatives of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, Irish Jockeys Association and IHRB Raceday Operations Team after racing.

"The programme of watering continued as scheduled and there has been 6mm of rain since 6pm yesterday evening. The racing line for today is a different line to racing yesterday and watering is currently ongoing.

"The ground is currently good, good to yielding in places and it is raining at present. There is the possibility of further showers throughout the day, possibly heavy at times."

The first of eight races is set to begin at 3:51pm at the East Meath course.