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Eoin Greaney, Killian Quirke and Sean Fitzgerald at the Cheltenham Preview night at Skelper Quane’s Bar on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
A STAR-STUDDED line-up of racing experts were in Skelper Quane’s on Thursday night for a look forward to Cheltenham.
In what’s become an annual fundraiser, jockeys Bryan Cooper and Philip Enright were joined by photographer Pat Healy of Listowel Races, bookmaker Berkie Browne and Conor O’Neill of Punchestown Racecourse on the panel.
Also giving their tuppence worth on the night were Dick O’Sullivan and local trainer Tom Cooper, while the night was MC’d by well known sports journalist Murt Murphy.
Tom Quane was delighted with the turnout at the event which benefitted the Irish Injured Jockeys fund.
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“It’s an important fund and they deserve to benefit, we’re delighted to do it for them. It’s a great event here that we’re proud to be associated with. It’s always been a huge success and we hope it continues. It really kickstarts the excitement of Cheltenham here in the pub,” said Tom.
Tom thanked all the guest panellists for giving their time especially the jockeys (“they give up their time tonight and have to get up early to be back riding later on that day”) and also to companies who sponsored spot prizes.
Those present heard the expert tips for the festival and no doubt have their dockets filled out for the craic next week.
The panel agreed there were two nailed-on winners next week – Altior and Douvan – while the consensus was that York Hill, Apple’s Jade, Empire Of Dirt and Djakadam were all horses in with a chance in their races. Scroll down for photos…
Tom Cooper, Dick O’Sullivan, Bryan Cooper, Tom Quane, Conor O’Neill and Murt Murphy at the Cheltenham Preview night at Skelper Quane’s Bar on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Frank and Tina O’Shea at the Cheltenham Preview night at Skelper Quane’s Bar on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Galvin, Paul Galvin and John Lyons at the Cheltenham Preview night at Skelper Quane’s Bar on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Fr Pat Crean Lynch, Pat O’Connor, Jimmy Kirby and Martin O’Regan at the Cheltenham Preview night at Skelper Quane’s Bar on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
