THE former National Hunt senior handicapper Noel O’Brien will be remembered at the Kilbeggan meeting on Friday evening, May 17th with a race run in his honour.

The Noel O’Brien Memorial Novice Hurdle will be centre-stage on one of the most popular meetings of the year at the midlands track, and the evening will be further enhanced by the presence of the dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll. The first race is due off at 5.10pm.

The Irish Field’s Leo Powell approached Kilbeggan manager Paddy Dunican with the proposal for a race to honour Noel O’Brien who died in December 2017.

MUCH LOVED

Powell said: “I am indebted to Paddy and his team at Kilbeggan for allowing us to stage a race in memory of a much loved and missed personality in Irish racing.

“Noel’s popularity and the respect in which he was held is immeasurable, and I am sure that many of his family and friends will be present at Kilbeggan to reminisce about him.”

Westmeath County Council will sponsor the night’s most valuable race, while the card also includes The Irish Farmers Journal Maiden Hurdle.