Aine Art,Killashee

Cheltenham is the Mecca for both Irish and English racegoers in the month of March. Trainers and owners of both sides of the pond pit their best horses against each other for big prize money and trophies.It takes a year of hard work and perseverance to ready a horse for Cheltenham. Thousands of Irish punters descend on Prestbury Park with dreams and hopes that their favourite horse will be in the Winners enclosure after the race.If not there is always another race. Every evening during race week you have the traditional Poker Tables where many a good man has lost his shirt, even if he hasnt lost it on the racecourse.This year Longford businessman Philip Reynolds hopes to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a little over six weeks time, with his star chaser Presenting Persy. Percy won at Gowran last week and was immediately cut down to 11-4 for the Gold Cup in March.Certainly one to watch and might be worth a trip to Prestbury Park to cheer on.It could be Longfords year. Come on Percy.Aine...

I have been to the Greyhound Races a few times now, and I must say it is a great evening out. All the Irish tracks now have comfortable surrounds with bars and restuarants,and live racing on screen if it is too cold to venture out to the track.We are spoiled for choice now with tracks in Longford,Mullingar,Galway, Dublin, Clonmel to name a few. These tracks attract large crowds for an evening of great entertainment. Greyhounds are gentle and affecionate when raised at home but their racing prowess has eclispsed their suitability as pets. it is only when they retire they are suitable to be homed as a pet. A lot of the animal shelters have greyhounds available for adoption,and their is no shortage of people willing to take them.They will provide years of affection. Racing greyhounds have to be in the peak of condition and are regularly excercised by their kennell attendant who walk a number of them at a time. Training starts at about 15 months old, and a healthy dog can be ready to race...