The 2026 Tramore Festival gets underway this evening, launching four days of racing with 28 contests scheduled, and a seven-race National Hunt card opening proceedings on day one.

In the first race of the meeting, Killeemore Lad looks the one they all have to beat. The eight-year-old gelding, trained by Andrew Slattery, arrives on the back of a very good second behind Hashtag Pretender at Roscommon, where he pulled 11 lengths clear of the third. A repeat of that performance would give him a major chance of gaining compensation in the festival curtain-raiser.

Another horse of major interest on day one is Churchwarden, running in the colours of Pimlico Racing for trainer Henry de Bromhead. He returns to hurdles after an impressive 10-length victory in the Tramore Derby in July, a display that suggested he is firmly on the upgrade.

Back over hurdles off a mark of 100, Churchwarden again has Darragh O’Keeffe in the saddle. If the blinkers have the same effect as they did in the Tramore Derby, he is expected to make a bold bid to follow up and could give connections a memorable opening day at their local festival.

With Killeemore Lad setting the standard in the opener and Churchwarden seeking to extend his winning sequence, day one promises a strong start to one of Tramore’s showcase racing fixtures.

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