Cheltenham in the air in Christy’s Well fundraiser

Preview night in aid of KPFA Listowel

€1,650 for a 33/1 win on Tiger Roll placed by Eric McNamara with Berkie Browne?

It’s all in a night’s work at the annual Pre- Cheltenham preview in Christy’s - in aid of the wonderful work of the Kerry Parents’ and Friends’ Association.

That was the outstanding flutter at last year’s big night with the proceeds McNamara’s charity bet going straight to the KPFA, along with the other winning results and the proceeds of the night.

Now in its 13th year, the event has to date raised an incredible €55,000 for the charity, which supports adults with special needs, greatly bolstering its services.

“We’re delighted to be able to help such an important charity in this way and to help everyone get in the Cheltenham mood in the process,” Christy told The Kerryman as he revealed details of this year’s expert panel to The Kerryman this week.

And there’s one new name among the return of the experts

“Eric McNamara will be back, we have Michael Winters coming in from Cork, David Casey will be back with us as, of course, will be professional punter Michael ‘Chips’ Gannon, a great friend of Listowel down from Dublin for the night.

“But this year we’re delighted to welcome one of the country’s top female riders to the preview night in Rachel Blackmore. She won a big Leinster National last year and just last week won a grade two hurdle up in Thurles for Gigginstown.

“Rachel expects to have about six rides for Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham, hoping for her first winner so she will give a very good talk as well,” Christy said.

Pat Healy is the racing contact responsible for getting the big names and will act as MC, with Billy Keane on the roving mike and bookie Berkie Browne on board as both sponsor and expert this year, a brilliant night’s craic and tippage is guaranteed.

“We’ve raised €55,000 to date,” Christy said as he looked back on the last 13 years.

“Each expert gets a charity bet for the KPFA with a good price from Berkie. As a great example we saw Eric McNamara get €1,650 for the charity with a 33/1 price on Tiger Roll!”

It’s Cheltenham time again and that means a pre-races treat at Christy’s as ever. In aid of the Kerry Parents’ and Friends’ Association, it is also one of the great charity events of the North Kerry calendar. Pictured at the Well are dashing ‘jockeys’ Liam O’Connor and Ben Landy with, at back, Margaret McAuliffe, Bernie Daly, Christy Walsh, Mary Keane and Mary Browne.

BELOW: Berkie Browne, Christy Walsh and Billy Keane with top jockey and trainer David Casey at last year’s event - David’s back this year with the rest of the panel by popular demand.