They’re off, as staying power is put to the test
The first day of racing at Prestbury Park tested even the hardiest of constitutions.
Because, of course, the first day of the festival wasn’t the first at all. That began somewhere between the airport, the taxi rank and the hotel bar the night before.
But if there were tender heads and delicate stomachs around, they weren’t showing under the thick coat of optimism that all Cheltenham fans wear on their first day at the track.
The cold would have cut a snowman in two. “Sure at least it’s not raining,” they beamed buoyantly. The rain fell like daggers. “Sure it’ll take the cold away,” they grinned.
The frenetically upbeat, endlessly hectic Hector Ó hEochagáin looked to have even more springs on his pogo-stick than usual.
“Great time. Beer. Fabulous. Beer. Fantastic. Beer,” were his thoughts on the occasion, although his claims to have been on the gargle all night could only have been true if his drink was spiked - with oats.
Hector was visiting Horse Racing Ireland’s corporate cubicle where Sports Minister John O’Donoghue addressed guests who dug excitedly into complimentary goodie bags to emerge with pairs of bright green, shamrock-patterned “Irish Drinking Socks”.
The minister could consider a career change to racing commentary such is his passion for the sport and the statistics that make it complicated, er compelling.
After revisiting 1958, recalling unbeaten records and reliving historic moments, he brought the assembled crowd up to date with the declaration that 1.5 million people went horse racing in Ireland last year. Another 1.4 million went greyhound racing but they’ll come round.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the hounds. Queen of the literary horsey set, author Jilly Cooper, was cantering around the paddocks revealing that she’d just bought a greyhound in Cork.
Jilly was coy about when her dog would make its debut under her ownership but watch out for a new series of racy bestsellers set in the gritty world of the greyhound track.
Mr O’Donoghue was more forthcoming, declaring he had a few bob on Brave Inca. Clearly a man of foresight, he confided: “I backed it last November in Ladbrokes in Cork.”
He couldn’t give any tips for five months from now but if the next couple of days will do, he fancies Accordian Etoile, Central House and Beef or Salmon.
That would be balm to the burning ears of trainer Michael Hourigan, who had had his fill of amateur commentators questioning Beef’s commitment to the Cheltenham course.
“To me it’s a load of ...” Tamarisk Doyle, the elegant public face of Horse Racing Ireland raised an eyebrow in momentary alarm as the TV cameras zoomed in but she needn’t have worried - racing is after all the sport of kings, not ruffians. “Cobblers,” Michael finished with a flourish.
Not all finishes are quite so satisfying but seasoned punters like Jerome Kelly, from Blackrock in Cork but living in Laois, and his wife, Liz are philosophical about the highs and lows of seeking out winners in a sea of also-rans.
“We’re really here for the Shakespeare,” he said, explaining that they and friends, Joe Kiernan from Portarlington and Ciaran Cullen from Monasterevin, were basing themselves in Stratford on Avon for the festival. “We’ll get some drama one way or another.”
Thanks to Joe and Ciaran, they had already witnessed some theatrics. “We were playing poker until four this morning,” confessed Joe. “And we’ll be playing again tonight. But we do take a break from the poker and do a bit of racing too.”
Suddenly it was clear where the market for fish and chip breakfasts and Guinness elevenses lies.
