Wexford all set to share St. Patrick’s BY PEGASUS
THE EYES OF most of the racing world will be on Cheltenham on St. Patrick’s Day (Friday) for the running of the Gold Cup, but Wexford fans can have the best of both worlds - live racing in the very attractive first meeting of the season at Bettyville interspersed with all the action from Cheltenham on the big screen.
The on course betting shop and the rails bookies will be covering the Cheltenham races, alongside the live fare.
The first race is off at 2.20 p.m. but the facilities will be available an hour or so beforehand, allowing everyone to get into the mood.
If the weather is reasonable at all, this is a great chance to make this a great family day out after the morning parades, with free admission for those under 14, who may like to add a bit of colour in their parade finery.
Refreshments are available at The Snack Room, the Carriglawn and The Long Bars, and if you want to push the boat out, you can book in advance for a €30 special offer, covering admission to the races and a two-course lunch in Phelim Byrne’s Séasúir Restaurant in the Ivy Room, overlooking the course and parade ring.
Advance booking is necessary on 087-3828099.
The Wexford card is quite attractive in its own right, with over €100,000 in prizemoney for the seven races, with €26,000 up for grabs in the featured Veterans’ Handicap Chase, sponsored by Eoin Banville and the Arctic Tack Stud, Newbawn.
Lining up here will be some of the old timers familiar to race-goers for a few years now.
The Micheál O Murchadha Memorial Rated Hurdle of €16,500 honours one of the founders of Wexford race course in 1951, and the late father of current manager, Michael Murphy.
The race is sponsored by the Saltees Shellfish Co.
The Barry Ennis Memorial Novice Handicap