7-Day Listowel Festival Starts on Monday Listowel's seven-day Harvest Festival of Racing will commence this year on Monday 18th September, making it the 148th Anniversary of this meeting at the legendary Island track. Following today's forfeit stage for the feature race of the week, the ?150,000 Guinness Kerry National, there are 30 horses still remaining in the race, including last years first and second Euro Leader and Monterey Bay. Details for the 7-Day Festival: Monday 18th SeptemberThree races on Monday are sponsored by the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund including the featured ?40,000 Nursery event which promises to be a very competitive affair. The four year old bumper on this day invariably goes to a useful sort and last year's victor, Lord Over, subsequently finished a close sixth in the Cheltenham Bumper and an even closer third in the Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival. Tuesday 19th SeptemberThe feature race on Tuesday is the Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle which went to Eoin Griffin's Don't Be Bitin twelve months ago. Interestingly, the seventh horse home here was Noel Meade's Iktitaf who subsequently improved significantly to win the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and the VC Bet Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, both Grade One events. Something else to enjoy on the day is a Best Dressed Man's Competition, sponsored by O'Sullivan's Mans Shop, Listowel, with prizes to the value of ?1,000 to be won on the day. Wednesday 20th SeptemberWith the ?150,000 Guinness Kerry National, sponsored by Diageo Ireland, being the feature event of the week, Wednesday's card should attract a very large attendance and last year's race will live long in the memory as Willie Mullins' Euro Leader just defeated Monterey Bay in a real thriller. Although now 20lbs higher in the ratings, Euro Leader is likely to attempt a repeat victory on Wednesday as this classy performer bids to become the first horse since Packed Home managed the double in 1964 and 1965 respectively. Past winners of this historic race include the great Dorans Pride and subsequent Aintree Grand National winner, Monty's Pass, and it is always a high quality and exciting contest. Thursday 21st SeptemberThe main races on Thursday are sponsored by the European Breeders Fund and Diageo Ireland who sponsor the featured ?50,000 Guiness Handicap Hurdle. Michael Hourigan's Kilbeggan Lad was successful twelve months ago while the same stable sent out The Screamer to oblige in 2004 and although he won't have a representative this time round, the likes of Adamant Approach, Emmpat, The Last Hurrah recent Tralee winner, Maxxium, are sure to provide racegoers with a fine spectacle. Friday 22nd SeptemberFriday is also Ladies Day this year, with the winner scooping a ?1,500 voucher for Chic Boutique, Listowel, and there will be a champagne reception for the 15 finalists. There is also a competition for the Best Dressed Little Miss on the day, sponsored by Kay's Children's Shop, Listowel. Racing is once again likely to be ultra-competitive as the ?30,000 Guinness Handicap is always a keenly contested event. Last year, Skerries managed to make all the running to defeat Irish Cambridgeshire winner, Kestrel Cross, with this year's Irish Lincoln winner, Bawaader, a close up third. Saturday 23rd SeptemberWith three ?30,000 events down for decision, Saturday's card will be very interesting and the Edmond Whelan Memorial Handicap Hurdle saw Kilbeggan Lad narrowly fail to complete a big race double last year when he was thwarted by the locally trained Owennacurra Bobby, from the Tom Cooper stable. The Listowel Printing Works Handicap over seven furlongs went to Joanna Morgan's Orpailleur in 2005 and this much improved performer is likely to be back again after enjoying a fine season, winning on three occasions and recently finishing second in a premier handicap at Leopardstown on Baileys Irish Champion Stakes Day. Sunday 24th SeptemberThe ?40,000 Dawn Milk Handicap Chase is the final day feature and this two mile and three furlong handicap chase is sure to attract some very decent performers. Sunday's card is an all national hunt affair and the Listowel Races Supporters Club Slan Abhaile Q.R. Race maintains its place as the final race of what should be an exciting and hugely successful seven day meeting. Sunday is sponsored by Kerry Group and there will be a full programme of Children's Entertainment to enjoy.
