The Luas was packed when it set down at Dundrum station. Many were dressed in their Peaky Blinders garb; others more eye-catching in their sartorial elegance. An indication then that a bumper crowd was heading to the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival.
At the Sandyford stop, the throngs disembarked. The shuttle bus that would have taken some of us to Leopardstown had just departed. There were no complaints, however. A walk of 15 minutes took us to our destination, all in good time ahead of the first race.
Shouts of "any spare tickets" could be heard as one made their way up the slight incline towards the entrance. One tout was looking to pay €50 for five tickets. Bless his brass neck!
Once inside a beeline was made for the main stand; the seats and steps were well populated. You could sense the atmosphere. In advance we were told that a number of UK visitors would be in attendance. Their voices were clear: Cockney, Brummie, Black Country, North of England.
From the latter, I spoke with two lads from Carlisle. Roddy Collins' time as manager of their local football team seemed to have escaped them, but they knew their racing. The Gold Cup chances of A Plus Tard and Galopin Des Champs were thrashed out and I was informed that Carlisle is behind Hexham and Newcastle in terms of the northerly race tracks in England.
At about 1.21pm, a roar went up as the runners and riders departed for the opening Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle. A bit of mouthful but on-course commentator Jerry Hannon gave it more than a few mentions during the course of his call.
Owner-trainer Barry Connell reflects on Good Land's win in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/3M7s5LScko
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) February 4, 2023
In style and delivery, Hannon is quite similar to his predecessor Dessie Scahill, while giving any close finish the excitement it deserves. He called home the 3-1F Good Land for trainer Barry Connell in the opener. "We're a small operation, we have 25 horses," said Connell afterwards. In a game where the 'small trainer' is now a rare visitor to the winners' enclosure for a Grade One, such success is good to see.
It didn't take long, however, for the natural order to resume.
"Ah Willie, give somebody else a chance," was the cry from punter after WP Mullins won his first Grade 1 of the day, when Gala Marceau led the field home in the Donohue Marquees Spring Juvenile Hurdle. The champion trainer plundered three of the four Grade 1s on offer. And then on Sunday, he added three more. Across the Festival, the Closutton hander won eight of the 15 races.
The sight of dictaphones and microphones in the direction of Mullins is a familiar one. He is always composed and well-spoken, never giving too much away but saying enough to feel that you got something. Trainers, by and large, tend not to be touchy. No need to tremble if you're holding the microphone
Away from the post-race debriefing another world exists inside the concrete shell. The bars are full; and there was no chance to get a pint straight away, patience was required. Those behind the counter were most efficient. A Guinness was on sale for €6.20. Did that figure incorporate the latest price increase? We don't know.
A couple of the bars were showing Ireland-Wales. Eyeballs were fixed on it but with the result never in doubt, it felt unimportant. Inside the glass of the fancy restaurants, it looked like another world. Content faces tucking in to what was being served. Not surprisingly the queues for the lavatories were long.
Back outside, I spotted Ian Rush, all before Liverpool's horror show at Wolves. Best Mate trainer Henrietta Knight was chatting to Arthur Moore. Rich Ricci strode about the place with purpose, his hair now journeying down the back of his neck.
El Fabiolo was Willie Mullins' second winner of the day in the Goffs Irish Arkle. Willie was joined by his mother, Maureen, now 93, for the post-race celebrations. Winning jockey Daryl Jacob did blame himself for the one mistake the partnership made, but nevertheless was excited about El Fabiolo's prospects for Cheltenham.
Prestbury Park in March was never too far way from the lips of many. "We'll be staying in the same house we've had for the last 12 years," said one punter ahead of his return to the Cotswolds. The now yearly ritual where stamina is required. This year's renewal coincides with St Patrick's Day, that's Gold Cup day.
Galopin Des Champs is the favourite for the Blue Riband. That favouritism enhanced with his victory in the Irish equivalent. With the skies darkening overhead, Paul Townend led in the winner. Willie Mullins savouring another success in the race. Some of us, tempted by The Big Dog at 33-1, let out an audible shriek when it came down at the second last.
Ted Walsh was seen watching the replay as his Any Second Now ran well to finish fourth. Ted can now look forward to another tilt at the Aintree National.
The face of the big race sponsor, somewhat reluctantly, had his picture taken with Galopin Des Champs. More phones were raised aloft to capture this.
A heavy drizzle then fell from above as trainer Gavin Cromwell recorded a double with Perceval Legallois in the Handicap Hurdle and Final Orders in the Handicap Chase.
In the concluding Flat Race, a Mullins name was attached to seven of the eight runners. But it was John Kiely's A Dream To Share that comfortably led them home at 12-1. It was a first Graded win for 85-year-old Kiely since 2017. In the plate was teenage jockey John Gleeson, son of RTÉ broadcaster Brian.
Déise delight to end the day.
A total of 17,761 were in attendance on the opening day. Some would stay around for the post-race entertainment. The vast majority headed to the crowded car parks and to the shuttle buses, while others travelled on foot to the Luas.
Drizzle had turn to light rain at this point.
Sunday's crowd had bright sunshine to aid their enjoyment.
