Irish racing will have a new festival next March as three of the 15 fixtures granted to the new Limerick racecourse will be held that month.

The move was announced yesterday at the publication of the Irish Horseracing Authority's fixture list for 2001. The new course at Greenmount will also host Limerick's traditional Christmas festival as well as the new one on March 17th-19th.

As occurred this year, the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals will be held in consecutive weeks but Fairyhouse has been extended to four days starting on Easter Sunday, April 15th.

The 2001 Flat season will open at the Curragh on March 5th with the Budweiser Irish Derby to be run on July 1st.

Oscar Urbina was banned for three days (August 13th-15th inclusive) for irresponsible riding on Smooth Sailing after their victory in the H & K Commissions Handicap at Newmarket last night.