With Cheltenham just around the corner, punters in Mayo will be glad to hear there will be a Cheltenham race night ahead of the big racing festival in Castlebar. The Welcome Inn Hotel is the venue for the night, which is being organised by the Paddock himself, Ger Whyte, with the support of The Connaught Telegraph and a number of other sponsors.
Always a popular event, there will be a panel of experts, on the night to give their thoughts on likely winners in what is the greatest horse racing show on earth.
Already trainer Tony Mullins has been lined up for the event as has Philip Rothwell and Dusty Sheehy, while jockey Andrew McNamara will be on hand to lend his considerable knowledge to the event. Monies raised on the night will be going towards a local charity.
Monday night, February 28, is the date for your diary and we will have more information next week.

Mickey P. on the road to recovery

Cheltenham week wouldn't be the same without Mickey P. (Parsons) and the news from the stable is fairly good as Mickey has had a second operation, this time on his left hoof, and is well on the road to recovery.
"I'm as fit as a flea and rearing to go for Cheltenham. I just hope Ger has kept all the winners for us," he told his bodyguard, Paddy McGovern, at the weekend.
The word is he is thinking seriously about the New York marathon when he makes his reappearance.
"At the moment I'm just doing some light exercise, about 20 kilometres a day, and McGovern has me doing weights, so it's looking good for an early comeback," he said.
He is wished all the best from his many friends in Castlebar and here's hoping the legend will be in top form for Cheltenham, where he usually comes up with a few winners.
And mention of training, I hear James 'Cassius' Canning has been seen out on the ring road at 5 a.m. in his boxer shorts as he prepares for his big fight night in Breaffy next March.
James is one of a star-studded line up in a boxing charity night and he is pitted against Rocky's head honcho, John Ralph, who is undergoing a rigorous training programme under Rocky 'Marciano' Moran.
John Scott, who had to retire after a very short boxing career when he took a count before he even got into the ring, has been putting James through his paces.
"He will be starting his programme of steroids next week and as far as our camp is concerned, this is a miss-match. Canning has too much power and pace and wait until you see his footwork.
"The old 'fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee' phrase comes to mind," said a confident Scotty.
Word is there are big bucks going on this fight. We will keep you posted.

Birthday wishes to Mary and Emma

Punters in Paddy Powers should take note this Wednesday that one of the most popular faces behind the counter, the lovely Mary, will be celebrating her birthday, a 21st I think (again), tomorrow, Wednesday.
Mary is the shy type, coming as she does from Irishtown, but all flowers and chocolates will be gratefully received by her. God be with the days when the bottles of champagne would be flowing but sure aren't we in the middle of a recession.
And another young lady who has just celebrated a big birthday is Emma Cunningham, daughter of rugby legend Michael, and, of course, former Mayo and Connaught hat trick winning badminton champion (1984-86) Majella.
I hear Emma and Thea Byrne are playing some great basketball at the moment so keep an eye out for two future stars in the making.

 

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