IT was a full house at Ballinrobe racecourse last Friday as the manager John Flannelly stood to address the more than 100 people gathered to launch the 2017 racing season at the popular Co Mayo track.

Having prepared a slide show that showed sponsorship of all but two of the 65 races scheduled for the year ahead, John was able to announce that it was already out of date as he had secured another sponsor on the night. As you read this it is odds-on that the ‘sold-out’ sign will be in place.