The Punchestown executive said yesterday they are "utterly confident" about having their main track ready in time for the four-day festival that begins on April 24th.

There has been some speculation about the festival having to be switched to another racecourse with both Leopardstown and Fairyhouse being mentioned as possible alternatives.

However, the Punchestown chief executive, Charlie Murless, said yesterday: "We are very happy with the remedial work that is being undertaken at the moment and I would be utterly confident the main track will be back in action in time for the festival. I would treat all these rumours with the same disdain Aidan O'Brien treated all the rumours about Istabraq."

The main Punchestown track has been out of action since October when a fixture had to be called off due to complications with a new drainage system.