Spills, thrills all a day at the races

IN their thousands they are gathering, the barbarian Irish hordes, priming their purses for jumping’s premier festival, nursing dreams of victory and a baffling thirst.

Destination: Cheltenham - and the titillating prospect of four rollicking, nag-free days of racing and revelry.

The combination is deadly and a delightful reason to long-finger that kitchen extension if choices have to be made.