Racing News and previews:Almost €1 billion has been wagered in Ireland in the first half of 2003. The figure was confirmed by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) yesterday as they unveiled increases in most key areas for the first half of the year.
The on-course bookmaker turnover of €80.4 million is up 15 per cent on the same period last year. The Tote figure is up €2.7 million to €18 million, while off-course betting reached €894 million. That is up €186 million or 26 per cent.
The HRI chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, said: "The figures are most encouraging, coming against the background of the general economic slowdown."
Other increases came in attendances, which were up 13 per cent to 542,959, but the number of fixtures also increased by 15 to 134.
"It's clear the extra fixtures included in the programme have achieved their objectives and I'm confident the positive figures can be continued for the second half of the year," Kavanagh added.
Friday evenings continue to be a busy date for racing in Ireland, and tonight is no exception with the Bellewstown festival drawing to a close and Limerick catering the south.
Limerick looks to have the better quality contest with seven, including the 110-rated Great Pyramid, lining up for the mile conditions race.
Rock Of Gibralter's brother comes out a clear winner on ratings, but a busy couple of months
seemed to be reflected in a lacklustre seventh to his stable companion Mingun at the Curragh last weekend.
Jakester comes here on the back of a Hunt Cup run at Ascot, while the Dieses colt Sea Dart is the dark horse, having not run since beating Arundel at Leopardstown in October.
The Dermott Weld-runner Faadhil as been a disappointment this season and has over a stone to find with Great Pyramid officially. However, he may still be the safest option.
A bet at Limerick, however, appears to be the Oxx filly Behrasia. This one put in a most encouraging debut at the Curragh when a running on third to Ingres. The mile and a half maiden looks hers for the taking.
Best Wait didn't get the clearest of runs behind Creux Noir at the Curragh last Friday and looks an option in the mile-and-a-half handicap.
At Bellewstown, the prolific Zamnah goes for four-in-a-row in the second division of the apprentice handicap. The Bowles runner won over hurdles off 106 last time and a 35 mark here doesn't look over-taxing.
What A Hussy won two bumpers at Kilbeggan in June and looks hard to beat in the three-mile maiden hurdle.
The theatrical filly Rumansy will love any drying in the ground and looks the one in the mile-and-a-half maiden.
