It is safe to say that, even allowing for 265 years of inflation, the prize fund of €500,000 for this year’s Irish Grand National is somewhat more than the value of the hogshead or cask of wine that two Corkmen competed for in the world’s first steeplechase.

A horse racing tradition that has endured, and blossomed, since it first took place in north Cork, in 1752, will be re-enacted on Saturday, Oct 13.