Kilbeggan Races gears up for season finale
The final Kilbeggan Races meeting of the season takes place this Friday 2nd September with seven races on the card, and the first race off at 4.35pm. Despite the unfavourable weather this year, patrons still turned up in considerable numbers for the family days, and the Midlands National day and other fixtures have made a very good year for Kilbeggan with seven successful meetings already held. It has been difficult for punters this season at many meetings but, at the last fixture, the tide turned, as the bookies drowned in a series of successful gambles. On an eight race card, three favourites and two joint favourites won, as popular jockeys like Barry Geraghty, Davie Russell and Nina Carberry delivered on Asymmetrical, Riotman, and Brough Academy. Dessie Hughes continued his great run when Pistol Jack won the novice chase and Rocco's Hall returned to form to win the other novice chase over 3 miles 1 furlong. The evening brightened up as the sun appeared and many smiling faces left with pockets full and looking forward to the final meeting. The last meeting of the year should provide plenty of good racing with two sponsored races including a 2 ½ mile novice chase sponsored by Midland Breeders, and the Breeders Fund mares hurdle is sponsored by the European Breeder's Fund. It is the time of year for the Leading Jockey and Leading Trainer Award. The leaders in the Greville Arms Hotel Leading Jockey Award are E.J. O'Connell on 6 winners and Bryan Cooper on 4 winners. Amazingly, both of these very talented jockey's can still claim 3 lbs but they are ahead of Paul Carberry, Davie Russell, 7 Nina Carberry, all on 3 winners. The Paddy Dunican Auctioneer & Valuer Leading Trainer Award is headed by Dessie Hughes who has been so successful over the years in Kilbeggan and his recent treble has helped him into the lead on 5 winners and the only possible danger to him is Eoin Griffin on 3 winners. If you betting next Friday it might be best to follow Messrs O'Connell, Cooper and Dessie Hughes.