Rampant Ruby riding the crest of a wave

A TRUE superstar of the racing game was born last week at Cheltenham in the shape of Ruby Walsh.

Racing is, arguably, a minority sport which gives those of us who are passionate about it enormous pleasure. But when you see one of your own being given a standing ovation on a flagship programme like the Tubridy Show then it becomes rather obvious that something quite extraordinary is happening.

And then William Hill went and made Walsh their 5-2 favourite to win RTE’s Sports Personality of the Year award, and that is surely without precedent.