The betting figures have made grim reading all week at Listowel, and the bookmakers turnover was again severely hit at the Festival with business down a massive 36%.

The turnover in the ring was just €640,866, compared with nearly a million on the corresponding day 12 months ago (€998,992).

The two runner bumper won by 1/10 shot Annie Power obviously proved a big turn off for punters with just €20,147 bet in the ring as the majority of racegoers were leaving the car park.

The Kevin McManus Beginners Chase, won impressively by 4/5 favourite Back In Focus was the biggest betting race of the afternoon with €116,216 wagered.

The Tote was also down on the day by 13%, with an aggregate of €249,518 compared with €287,358 on the Thursday of the Festival last year.

In comparison the attendance held up well, with 17,307 racegoers as against 18,558 last year (down 6.7%).