Warwick’s Sunday meeting has the look of the Irish

Loughalder (far side) has risen in the weights after his victory at Warwick last time out.

With the Cheltenham Festival starting on Tuesday, the highlight of which is one of most eagerly-awaited Champion Hurdles in years, the course is looking to attract some of the thousands of Irish visitors who flock to the Cotswolds each year.

There will be live Irish music from Rabscallion and the Kingmaker Restaurant will have an Irish-themed menu.

For those booking in advance, there is a special Emerald Package that gives course entry, a racecard and a pint of Guinness for £20.

Booking can be made online at www.warwickrace course.co.uk or through the ticket hotline on 08445 793013.

The big race of the meeting is the class 3 racinguk.com Handicap Chase over three miles and five furlongs which, on the likely soft ground, will need a horse that stays the trip well to win.

Last year’s event proved a real thriller with Cerium looking to have the prize in safe keeping, only to stumble at the last and hand the race to Bally Sands.

The winner almost doubled up at the last meeting here but, having led from the off, was himself caught at the last fence and beaten by Loughalder.

They are both entered on Sunday, along with third-placed Union Jack D’Ycy, also a course winner in January.

Loughalder has been raised in the weights from a rating of 99 to 108 and Union Jack D’Ycy may come out best of the three this time.

Another worth noting is Nail ‘M who won his second race on the bunce at Sedgefield on Sunday and may still be on a winning mark.

The first race, The racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle (The Jockey Club Grassroots Jumps Series Qualifier) over two miles and five furlongs, is due off at 2.20pm and has attracted 30 entries, assuring a large field on the day.

Next up is the EBF Stallions/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, one of 12 races in a series that culminates in a final at Cheltenham in April.

Two hunter chases, sponsored by the CGA, complete the card with the first being run for the Air Wedding Challenge Trophy and the second for the Crudwell Challenge Cup.

Both commemorate horses with local connections, with Air Wedding having been trained by the late John Thorne at Chesterton and Crudwell recording a number of his 50 career wins at St Mary’s Lands.

Former smart chaser Rebel Du Maquis, trained by Paul Nicholls, and Penmore Mill, a winner of ten of his 14 races, look best in the first with Golan Way an interesting entry in the finale.

Gates open on Sunday two hours before the first race and there is ample free parking in the centre of the course.