I’d never been to the Punchestown Festival before so was very much looking forward to the meeting this year. The weather forecast didn’t look too good so had plenty of wet and warm clobber packed, despite it supposed to be the warmer end of spring.
I was working with AK Bets all week so right in the thick of it. He had a large team working the two pitches. For those that aren’t aware, in Ireland they takes bets on both sides of the rail where he bet number 1. He also worked a Tatts pitch down in the middle of the front row as well as a pitch up in one of the restaurants where they charge a nice few quid a head. The hope was that the well heeled would spend as much betting as they did posh grub and champagne. If anyone was going to get them betting it was part time ‘Ethical Celebrant’ Dave O’Reilly who was manning that post, all week apart from when he was in Tipperary (the long way joke was overdone on the day) to marry a happy couple.
The team was Jamie, Des, a 50year veteran of the game that loves this magazine so nothing bad to say about Des even though there’s nothing bad to say about Des, Graham who prefers to remain in the shadows, Dave ‘Tidler’ Tyrrell ex professional footballer and Shamrock Rovers legend, AK the boss and his Dad Tony. Here are the highlights of the week.
I was told that Tuesday would be the slowest day of the week and so it proved. The lack of money saved the betting ring when the first two jollies, Shecouldbeanything at 7/2 and Facile Vega at 4/6f. If you can’t take it you can’t lose it. Energumene also obliged winning at 2/7 but with not takers with AK at the price, though anyone that did lump the mortgage on might have needed a defibrillator a couple of times during the race.
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton