ONE LOSER OF the slowdown could be Punchestown which in recent years has been a major beneficiary of the property boom, with builders and agents throwing lavish parties for clients and supporters.

Happily Ellier Developments, which recently sold a fresh phase of new houses at Dalriada in Knocklyon and the Castle Market shopping enclave in Dublin at a record price, will be partying on April 22nd with a race named after them. The Real Estate Alliance group will also make its debut in the hospitality tents. But a planned lunch for 500 to be hosted by Ballymore to celebrate 25 years in business has apparently been cancelled during the three-day event. Clearly chairman Sean Mulryan feels it's not the best time to be celebrating.