CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Retire Superintendent Eamon O’Neill; Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett; Garda Colm Geary; Garda Tom McGlinchey and Sergeant Michelle Leahy
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27 Jan 2026
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27 Jan 2026
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Staff at Cheltenham racecourse have attributed the hole that appeared in the course during Festival Trials day to a broken drain.
The final race on Saturday’s card was delayed by almost 30 minutes and eventually run in fading light after the railing was moved to avoid the area.
The closing contest was ultimately run without incident and after investigating the turf, a broken drain has been identified as the cause of the disruption.
Jon Pullin, clerk of the course at Cheltenham, said: “Over the past 48 hours, an investigation has been underway to determine the cause of the hole that appeared in the track ahead of our final race on Saturday.
“Working closely with external drainage specialists, we have identified that the most likely cause was a broken drain located directly beneath the hole.
“We will now carry out further investigative work as well as conducting precautionary checks, alongside our standard pre-Festival course preparations.”
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