Seeking winners in Castlelyons

Gaelic Games and horse racing combined in The Pedlar’s Rock Bar, Castlelyons last Friday night, as members of the local GAA club hosted a fundraising Aintree preview event.

MC Patrick Mulcahy, did an ultra professional job with assistance from experts, renowned trainers - Michael Winters and Jimmy Mangan. The event was a financial success due mainly to the auction, which included the sale of some prestigious stallion ‘nominations’. Other attractive packages, including, a VIP trip to Willie Mullins’ yard, also commanded top dollar.

Club chairman, John McCarthy, thanked everyone who helped out or assisted in any way.

THE BIG ONE ON SATURDAY

Even for those not overly familiar with national hunt racing, the Aintree Grand National is still a big event, when ‘ordinary’ members of the public dip their toe in the world of betting. Most ‘non racing’ people will be familiar with the exploits of Rachael Blackmore who attempts to defend her title on board last year’s winner, Minella Times. The 2021 champion is not without a chance and will attract plenty of support, as will the fancied Burrows Saint.

Away from the headline horses, are any amount of contenders who you could make a case for - among these are, Two For Gold and Blaklion, who are almost guaranteed to be generously priced. Next Saturday’s Randox Aintree Grand National gets underway at 5.15pm.

(Pic: John Ahern) GOOD FORM: Castlelyons GAA supporters who were in The Pedlar Rock last Friday night, l-r: Paul Foran, James Maye and Fergal Crowley.

(Pic: John Ahern) Chairman of Castlelyons GAA, John McCarthy, pictured with some of the players who attended last Friday night’s fundraising Aintree preview in The Pedlar’s Rock Bar, l-r: Colm Spillane, Anthony Spillane, Eoin Maye, Colm Barry and Alan O’Regan.

(Pic: John Ahern) Supporting last Friday night’s Aintree preview Castlelyons GAA fundraiser in The Pedlar’s Rock Bar in Castlelyons were, l-r: Aisling O’Donovan, Kieran McGann and Ned Fitzgerald.