Thursday's feature is the big middle distance chase named after the generous sponsors Ryanair. I made a contribution to that fund on my travels, falling foul of their ever decreasing carry-on limits.
Alas, they got me here on time with a trumpeting fanfare of self-congratulatory back slapping to acknowledge the feat. The majority of passengers easily identifiable as on-goers to Gloucester.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud has once garnered the honours with Balko Des Flos in 2018. Croke Park represents this time and by his form an All-Ireland of a performance is needed to hit the frame.
Fact To File had nine lengths in hand over Heart Wood last year, with maybe a few more up his sleeve. A below par King George Chase effort was easily forgotten when he showed his true talent in the Irish Gold Cup.
That win over three miles suggested a step further up in trip might pencil Friday’s blue ribbon in the diary. Connections have decided to stick with what is his likely optimum trip instead of venturing in to the unknown.
These options are the pros and cons of a four-day festival, we can either see Fact To File at his best, or taking on the best.
The ultra-consistent Jonbon opposes, never out of the first two in 27 starts. His three runs at the Cheltenham Festival have produced second placings in the Supreme Novices', Arkle and Champion Chase. Nicky Henderson has said he would "love nothing mor" than for Jonbon to add a 21st victory - a first at the biggest festival - to his legacy.
When it comes to knocking craic out of racehorse ownership, The Sundowners Partnership struck gold with Wodhooh. An unexceptional performer on the level was bought for a reasonable £50,000, and has since taken to hurdling as willingly as her owners to the celebrations.
Nine wins from ten, only the champion hurdler Lossiemouth getting the better of her. Gordon Elliott’s only winner last year could be his banker of the week once more in the Mares Hurdle.
The Robcour silks were to the fore in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. Henry De Bromhead trained Bob Olinger getting the better of similarly-owned Teahupoo. Brian Acheson is the man behind Robcour, named after his children, Robert and Courtney. Bob Olinger is the apple of his eye.
Those eyes were teary at the Dublin Racing Festival, explaining that the horse was part of the family. Acheson added that the three loves of his life were his two children and ‘Bob’. Ruby Walsh was quick to jibe at Acheson for forgetting to add wife Carmel to that list, all taken in good spirit.
Bob is 11 so the owner’s biggest hope most likely lies with Teahupoo, who since last year’s renewal has won the big staying races at Punchestown, Fairyhouse and Leopardstown. Those pink, black and white silks won’t have it to themselves.
JP McManus’ green and gold will be carried by a classy pair in Impose Toi and Honesty Policy, while the home team is best represented by the Skelton’s up and coming Relkeel winner Kabral Du Mathan.
Derek O’Connor has been the greatest amateur jockey of all, to me anyway. At 43, he has ridden through the twilight years of his career, past midnight and with no hint of going to bed, is still the boss.
He has five festival winners to his name and has a big shout in the Kim Muir. A deepening relationship with JP McManus will see him legged up on the Henderson-trained Jeriko Du Reponet, which is surely the classiest contender in the field.
