Bookmakers yesterday welcomed the official confirmation that a new tax-free era for Irish racing will begin at the Galway Festival.

The abolition of betting tax on Irish racecourses was originally timed to begin at the start of this month but was delayed because of legal formalities. It will now begin on July 25th, the day before the beginning of the Galway races.

The delay in the legislation had caused some fears among the on-course bookmakers, especially with the off-course bookies having their tax reduced to five per cent this month.

"We are delighted and welcome it," said the Irish National Bookmakers Association spokesman Francis Hyland. "We will each contribute a standard rate of £2,002 a year and 0.3 per cent of our turnover to help make up the levy shortfall." The legislation was dependent on various sectors of the industry making up the funding shortfall due to the abolition of the levy.

In a statement yesterday, the Irish Horseracing Authority confirmed the details. Off-course bookmakers will be charged 0.3 per cent of their turnover and also a flat rate of between £500 and £2,000, depending on their turnover.

The same turnover charge applies to on-course bookmakers as well as a £2,000 standard charge which will paid at a rate of £77 fortnightly.

The Government have agreed to contribute an additional sum equivalent to the off-course turnover charge. That sum will be paid on an 80:20 basis to the IHA and Bord na gCon.

The Association of Irish Racecourses have agreed to find additional sponsorship of £1 million over two-and-a-half years. The racecourses are committed to increasing their portion of the prizemoney fund to £1.4 million in each of the years 2000 and 2001.

The AIR have also guaranteed to make up any shortfall on those figures.

Punters at the Galway Festival will, however, have to pay a levy of five per cent to bet on away meetings.

There is sure to be another impressive attendance this evening at Kilbeggan, which features a guaranteed £20,000 jackpot.

In the featured Elan Midlands National punters could do worse than row in with Betseale. Runner-up to How Ran On in his last two races, he is just preferred to Triptodicks and An Tain Shioc.

The nap, however, is in the Beginners Chase: Fernhillbogey, ran a fine race to be runner-up to Coillte An Ceoil at Killarney earlier this week.