Tralee must now decide if it wants to be a racecourse
It made for rather stark reading and, by the time you had finished, the only conclusion you could draw is there wasn't a whole lot he said with which you might disagree.
Ashforth had no axe to grind and called it as he saw it. His opening sentence just about summed everything up when he commented: “Tralee must decide whether it wants to be a racecourse.”
And that is simply the nub of the entire matter. In it's present form, on the basis of what we saw last week, Tralee is a course without a future or, at very least, one with a future which is less than bright.
Personally, here's one who couldn't give a toss about facilities and, you suspect, there are a hardcore of regular and seasoned racegoers who feel exactly the same.
The only thing that concerns them is the quality of the racing on offer and the possibility of finding a winner or two.
But we are dinosaurs and the days when the vast majority of the public will suffer less than adequate facilities are gone.
Attendances at Tralee were disappointing, with the 4,608 who showed up on Wednesday the biggest of the week.
That was respectable enough, but a fair way short of what might have been expected. Irish racing is currently at an all-time high, so when the public turns its back it is time to very much take stock.
Ashforth asked if Tralee wants to be a racecourse and that is really the only question which has to be answered.
It simply cannot continue in its present form, a slow death is the only logical outcome. Someone has to grasp the nettle - HRI, the owners of Tralee, or both together.
Tralee racecourse needs help, needs TLC, and, most off all, needs to decide what it wants to do - and quickly. I know there is a school of thought amongst people with plenty of power, that Tralee should be closed and all the concentration in Kerry focused on Listowel and Killarney.
It is a view with which I would be completely opposed. We should never allow, if at all possible, a racecourse to close and all energy should be directed at reviving the fortunes of this once-proud track.
The ironic aspect is that the racing was bloody good and really well supported by the professionals in the game.
Aidan O'Brien had a couple of winners; what looked to be some fair sorts landed maidens; and, other winners, such as Diego Garcia and Kalderon, are horses going places.
************
WHOEVER was the brains behind the card at Killarney last Sunday should take a bow.
This was the type of programme to which every course should aspire. Only two handicaps, out of seven races, was a good start.
Then you had a three-year-old maiden hurdle, a novice hurdle, conditions hurdle, beginners 'chase and a bumper. Five non-handicaps, simply perfect.
Killarney was up against the All-Ireland hurling final, but still managed to attract an attendance of 2,300 plus.
If they produce another card like this, any sort of maiden hurdle and a novice 'chase for instance are also perfectly acceptable, then go and support them, they deserve it.
************
COULD you believe the price Davenport Democrat was in that hurdle at Roscommon on Monday night?
I felt he was real value in the morning at 6-4 and had difficulty understanding how some firms had Line Ball as their favourite.
Even if the rain came, as it eventually did, Davenport Democrat had plenty of form to recommend him on a soft surface.
Line Ball, of course, was in demand all day and was always going to be an odds-on shot come the evening. It seems every so-called wide boy in the country wanted to be on him. That Davenport Democrat went all the way out as far as 9-4 was amazing. This about a horse who was in the form of his life and partnered by Ruby Walsh. It truly is an extraordinary game!
