Colm Greaves: Instant gratification at Dublin Racing Festival or play Cheltenham long game?

There are eight grade One races at stake at the DRF festival and each of those contests there are relatively short-priced favourites who are available ante-post at much longer odds for the equivalent event at the Cheltenham festival in six weeks’ time.

Cheltenham Festival winner Marine Nationale. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

About a week ago the newly appointed chief executive at Leopardstown Racecourse, Mark ‘Noah’ Clayton, called an emergency meeting of his team. “Enough of the oul’ DRF preparation,” he told them. “Find your wellies and grab a hammer. We’re building an Arc.” 

It seemed like a wise decision in the light of the Biblical rains that followed and it looked like the only viable sport at the South Dublin track this weekend would be outdoor water polo.