Just eight bookies at Cork There are just eight bookmakers in the ring at Cork this afternoon, the lowest at an Irish meeting in modern times. The eight are Seamus Mulvaney, John Harney, Ciaran Skelly, Des Boyle, Paul Power, Pat McCarthy, Charlie Hussey and Garrett Murphy. Mulvaney said, “Its sad to see the ring so quiet like this but it doesn't make sense having a meeting here today clashing with the Galway Festival. A lot of the same people that would come here would also go to Galway. This meeting was traditionally at Wexford a few years back, and a return there would make a lot more sense logistically.” HRI's betting ring supervisor Tim O'Keeffe said, “Its a very disappointing attendance but the fact is that many bookmakers with pitches here also have pitches at Galway. They have decided to stay at Galway.” Needless to say no bookmakers are betting “chances” this afternoon as all nine are needed to form a market for SIS shows and starting prices. The attendance approaching the first race at 2.05pm is also very sparse. Alan Magee
