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Laura Couchman Walsh, Tony Kearney and Ronan Walsh at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 1o years since Skelper Quanes started their Cheltenham Preview events, last night’s was by far the biggest and most successful ever, with thousands raised for a great cause.
Thanks to Tom Quane adding on an extension to the premises in Blennerville during the COVID pandemic, they could accommodate well over 300 people at the sold-out event which saw a star-studded line-up of experts give their choices for the upcoming festival.
A special guest on the night was little Rose O’Flaherty from Ballymacelligott, who has a rare and serious genetic neuromuscular condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Type 1, and funds raised from the event went to the Help Rose Bloom campaign.
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Pat Healy was the entertaining MC asking the questions of well-known trainer Gordon Elliott, well-known Kerry jockeys Bryan Cooper, Jack Kennedy and Philip Enright, Listowel bookmaker Berkie Browne and Leon Blanche from BoyleSports.
There were also amazing spot prizes and a super auction of items like golf with Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé; golf with ‘Bomber and Ogie’; autographed riding breeches from Rachel Blackmore; an autographed Ireland rugby jersey and two nights for two people at the Skellig Hotel.
While the total amount has not yet been revealed, the generosity of those present saw thousands raised for Rose’s plight.
Both the O’Flaherty family and Tom Quane expressed their gratitude to all the sponsors, the panel who gave their time and of course all who attended and donated money to make it a memorable night. Scroll down for photos…
Little Rose O’Flaherty with her sister Kate, mom Karen and Tom Quane of Skelper Quanes at the Cheltenham Preview Night at the bar on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Robbie O’Connell and Paudie O’Shea at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ger O’Brien, Andrea O’Donoghue and Therese Greaney at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Karen O’Connor, Tim Landers and Jacqueline O’Connor at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
MC Pat Healy (left) with the panel trainer Gordon Elliott, Leon Blanche of BoyleSports, bookmaker Berkie Browne, and jockeys Philip Enright, Brian Cooper and Jack Kennedy at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The big attendance at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Part of the large crowd at the Cheltenham Preview Night at Skelper Quanes on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
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