NEXT weekend will see the second edition of the Navan Racing Festival, a two-day jump racing meeting which is expected to attract top-class horses and great crowds.

The weights for the featured Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase were released on Monday and top trainers Gordon Elliott, Noel Meade and Gavin Cromwell all visited the racecourse on Wednesday to chat with media and racegoers about their running plans for the weekend.

The free shuttle bus scheme operating between Navan town and the tack will again be in operation during the weekend. Buses will start departing from 10am at Fairgreen with the first 100 passengers receiving a complimentary voucher entitling them to a Balreask Bar bacon butty, racecard and O’Driscolls Irish Whisky Irish coffee at the racecourse.

In an effort to make the town central to the racing festival, Navan Racecourse has worked with a number of local bars, businesses and community groups on various initiatives that has resulted in increased pre-sales for the Festival. This will in turn boost the footfall to Navan town with racegoers encouraged to visit the town centre after racing over the weekend.

These initiatives include the racecourse partnering with bars and pubs in the Navan area to facilitate live music after racing so racegoers can continue their day out after the races. A full list of participating bars and hot spots in Navan town are available on the Navan Racecourse website.

The racecourse has also invited shops in Navan to participate in a ‘We are PROUDStown’ shop window-dressing competition. All shops that dress their window in a horseracing theme will receive four free tickets to the Festival on a day of their choice.

The Festival will also mark the launch of the Treo Eile Christmas Show with a parade of retrained racehorses including dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, Welsh National winner Raz De Maree and multiple graded race winner Woodlands Opera. Royal Meath show Ridden Thoroughbred Class champion Masterson will also take part in the parade which is scheduled for approximately 1pm on Sunday.

Saturday will see the band Rake The Ashes headlining the marquee with traditional tunes echoing around the racecourse. The band will begin playing directly after the last race to keep the spirits high.

On the Sunday, The Sandmen will have a DJ set throughout the day and then will perform live music after racing.

Before racing each day racegoers will be treated to knowledgeable panel of familiar faces previewing the racecard.

Web: navanracecourse.ie

Saturday, November 16th

11.40 Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle Of €15,000. 2m 4f.

12.15 Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle (Rated 80-116) Of €15,000. 2m 4f.

12.50 Hotel Park St Johann In Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle (Rated 80-130) Of €16,500. 2m.

1.25 Bar One Racing For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) Of €35,000. 2m.

1.58 Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) Of €50,000. 2m 4f.

2.33 Bar One Racing Fortria Chase (Grade 2) Of €50,000. 2m.

3.08 Irish Stallion Farms Ebf Beginners Chase Of €15,500. 2m 1f.

3.43 Bar One Racing ‘Guaranteed Overnight Prices’ Pro-Am Inh Flat Race Of €15,000. 2m.

Sunday, November 17th

11.35 Bar One Racing ‘Price Boosts Across All Channels’ 3yo Maiden Hurdle Of €15,000. 2m 107yds.

12.10 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle Of €15,000. 2m.

12.45 Gaeil Colmcille Gaa Kells ‘Day At The Races’ Handicap Hurdle (Rated 80-102) Of €15,000. 2m.

1.20 John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) Of €35,000. 2m 4f.

1.55 Bar One Racing ‘Bet €10 Get €50 Sign Up Offer’ Tara Handicap Hurdle (Rated 80-130) Of €45,000. 2m 6f.

2.30 Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Of €100,000. 3m.

3.05 Race And Stay Irish Ebf Beginners Chase Of €15,500. 2m 4f.

3.40 Coolmore NH Sires Hurricane Lane Irish EBF Mares Inh Flat Race (Listed) Of €32,500. 2m.