What did we really expect leaving Cheltenham last year? When we looked at all the results, how did we think, 12 months down the line, those winners would fair back at the Festival?

Yes, indeed, Footpad again buried punters — many of them — one more time when failing to deliver in a Grade 2 chase at Thurles last Sunday.

Yesterday bookmakers were going 5-1 the field for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and that indicates they’re just as confused as us mere punters.

Ruby Walsh and Pat Smullen were the stars at last night’s Horse Racing Ireland Awards, each receiving the Racing Hero Award.

Last Saturday I went to Haydock to watch Eight And Bob run in a valuable three-mile handicap hurdle, he being owned by the Act D Wagg syndicate of which my wife, Gillian, is a member.

It’s surely a no-brainer to give the on-course bookmakers what they want and help keep them on life support for as long as possible.

Stay on the good side of these 10 chasers in the months ahead.

I don’t understand the betting for today’s feature race, the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Henry de Bromhead is putting his shoulder to the wheel as racing looks to attract new owners and followers but for now, the Co Waterford trainer, who has already been among the winners at Aintree this week, is looking forward to Valseur Lido taking part in today’s Grand National.

There were scenes of unbridled joy in the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham today as Willie Mullins finally got his hands on the Gold Cup.