Festival clears recession hurdle with ease
But while it was forecast to present the most formidable obstacle at the racecourse yesterday, the opening day of the annual four-day Christmas Festival cleared it with ease.
The attendance of 16,744 was down only 250 on last year and while betting was slow to start, punters later gathered pace to part with €1.36 million, a modest reduction on the 2007 figure of €1.44m.
Anticipating a more thrifty atmosphere this year, organisers abolished the reserved enclosure and offered a one-for-all entry ticket at a knockdown price of €20, which seemed to prove a hit with younger race-goers.
“There are a lot of young people around which is really encouraging,” said Tamso Doyle of Horse Racing Ireland. “Figures are a little bit lower but there’s the same buzz and the bars are full so I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
Young faces were mixed with old reliables. Regular Bono turned up with his wife Ali and their children, along with manager Paul McGuinness, while actress Alison Doody brought some glamour to the occasion and Shane McGowan added some character.
Actor Stephen Rea and director Jim Sheridan were also marking their cards while EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy and former taoiseach Albert Reynolds were among the political punters.
Most of the drama centred on the big money race of the day, the €120,000 novice chase where 12/1 outsider Follow The Plan beat hot favourite Tatenen by a short head and saw RTÉ’s Den presenter, Kathryn McKiernan, daughter of winning owner, Oliver, almost lose her head in the excitement.
Ever-upbeat bookmaker Paddy Power was predicting more breathless moments over the rest of the three days, not least today when he sponsors all seven races.
“It felt like it was ever so slightly easier to get around today, but we would still have been very busy. We haven’t done the sums yet and it might be slightly down on last year but not so much that you’d worry about it.”
He won’t have to worry about attention on the fourth race. It features Donna’s Palm of the Grand Alliance syndicate of which Taoiseach Brian Cowen just happens to be a member.
With its recent winning form, the horse appears to be a banker — but given events in the financial world of late, that may not be a good thing.
