Sun shines on the bookies..
They lift €600k but it’s a fun festival day
RACE fans practically hurdled the gates to get in to the first day of the Leopardstown Festival yesterday.
The sun beamed down as 13,000 crammed the entrance full of Christmas cheer and excitement.
The event hosted an array of festivities and a lavish display of style with actor Stephen Rea and former Taoiseach Brian Cowen among its famous visitors.
And fans were kept on the edge of their seats from the off but it was the Racing Post Novice Steeplechase which claimed most of the elation – the main event with a €100,000 cash prize.
The race featured outside bet
Ellie Mac, a horse owned by the father of Niccolai Schuster, 21, one of six students who died in the 2015 Berkeley balcony tragedy.
The mare faced off against favourites Menghli Khan and Voix Du Reve but failed to execute a repeat of last year’s victory to the disappointment of its supporters. Instead, 3/1 shot Le Richebourg came in first.
But the bookies were the big winners bagging almost €600,000 in the festival’s opening day.
And as ever punters had mixed fortunes. Ben Logan, from Dublin, said: “It’s a great day, the weather’s perfect. I came with €50 quid and I have €70, so I’m just above even.
“I said to myself if I break even today that’s good craic – it’s a good way to spend five or six hours.”
Dylan Kennedy, also from Dublin, said: “I’ve lost everything. It’s a good day out, a lot of mates, but I haven’t had any luck on the ponies.”
Event chief Pat Keogh is sure there will be more to come in the next few days. He added: “We had a wonderful afternoon.”