NEWS ROUND-UP: FÁILTE IRELAND are planning a promotion campaign in Britain for six of the biggest National Hunt fixtures in Ireland this winter.

The campaign will come on the back of research published yesterday in conjunction with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) which revealed that 70,000 overseas visitors to this country attended at least one race meeting during their time here.

Almost one in four of that total (17,000) came to Ireland specifically to attend a race meeting, and the overall revenue-benefit to the Irish economy is estimated at €140 million.

The research, which took place between June 2008 and last May, also that 60 per cent of that 70,000 come from Britain, with 14 per cent from the US.

HRI officials have welcomed the findings, as has Minister for Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen.

“Ireland’s reputation for horse breeding and thoroughbred racing provides yet another opportunity when it comes to winning over new visitors and overseas revenue,” the Minister said.

“The research will inform our future development of the sector.”

The new promotion campaign will focus on November and December, such as Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, the Hatton’s Grace fixture at Fairyhouse and the John Durkan Memorial meeting at Punchestown. Other courses involved will include Down Royal, Cork and Navan.

“We are in the business of preparing a winter racing campaign in the UK to promote these six key race meetings,” said Fáilte Ireland’s chief executive Shaun Quinn.

“The UK is our biggest overseas market and horse racing is a vital component in our mix of attractions and assets.”

A HRI spokesperson said: “We have always maintained that racing is good for tourism but never had figures before. These results are encouraging and we hope Fáilte Ireland will now get behind racing like it has golf and angling.”

Ballinrobe sees a Listed flat winner in action this afternoon as Baron De’l returns to jumping in the two-mile maiden hurdle.

Eddie Harty’s versatile six-year-old ran four times over flights last winter, putting in some good efforts behind the likes Hurricane Fly and Roberto Goldback, and the experience didn’t seem to do him any harm.

He subsequently put in a career-best performance last April at the Curragh when landing the Alleged Stakes, where he had such good horses as Poet and She’s Our Mark in behind.

Baron De’l hasn’t won since, but his form from last winter would be enough on its own to give him a leading chance today.

Barry Geraghty teams up with Eoin Griffin for a pair of interesting contenders today, with Norther Bay having a start in the Beginners Chase.

Norther Bay wasn’t beaten far behind Archie Boy and Rippling Ring at Ffos Las last month, and can get the better of the former Cheltenham festival winner Silver Jaro.

The Griffin-Geraghty combination also have The Last Derby in the conditions chase, and better ground can see the five-year-old add to his earlier Kilbeggan victory.