It's always a pleasure to be asked to work in Ireland, the only thing I'm not too keen on is the almost always early start to get there.
When I say early start, I mean when the party animals are still going strong, alarm set for 2.45am in order to get to Bristol Airport in time to catch the 6.15 to Dublin. I did toy with the idea of having an extra half and hour in bed anticipating a quiet airport at that time of the morning. Having done so would have been a rick of monumental proportions, the place was heaving, it appeared that several revellers had decided to throw an all-nighter prior to their flight, unlike the seasoned gentleman of the turf of course.
For anyone that hasn't been to Leopardstown, it's easy from the airport via buses or from the city centre via the Luas tram. The bus will take you there for about a tenner and the Luas a fiver return. There's a free shuttle to the course from Sandyford Luas station. The last time I was at Leopardstown it was for the Dublin Racing Festival, a meeting that has soared in popularity in recent years and literally buzzes with atmosphere. It wasn't quite the same on Saturday, there was a decent crowd but it felt like a Saturday meeting rather than the festival it was billed as, day one of the two day Irish Champions Weekend. One of the first people I met was my old pal Desmond White a much respected veteran of the Irish betting ring and truth be known a magnet on the joint to ladies of a certain age.
Denne historien er fra October 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra October 2024-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
LION ROARS TO TOP SPOT
John Anthony is right up with the pace as the speed horses kick on again
JUST STAY IT AGAIN SAM!
Paul Jacobs relishes a grand October climax with final Flat season flourish
TROY JOY OPENS THE FLOODGATES
lan Heitman recounts a month of stunning track highlights
FINEST LAP OF HONOUR
Graham Buddry tells the dramatic tale of Australia's brilliant Southern star
DOWN LAMBOURN WAY
Richard Eagle brings news from the Valley, Epsom and beyond
BOY WILL STEP UP IN THE WET
Ben Morgan sticks to his guns with 10 top tips to follow in the coming weeks
CUTTING BACK TO THE OLD DEBATE
Rolf Johnson weighs up one of racing's perennial chestnuts
FROM BOOK TO BOOKIES
The former Sky frontman turns detective in hunt for Arc clues
FUM-ING BUT NO DISGARCE
Jeremy Grayson picks it up in the sticks after a late summer jumps break
MEMORIES OF SIR MICHAEL'S EARLY DAYS RUN SO DEEP
Dave Youngman looks back at Michael Stoute's road to success