Stephen Connolly

THE Dublin Racing Festival, that was due to take place at Leopardstown on January 31 and February 1, nearly didn’t happen this year due to over six inches of rain falling on the course in the week leading up. Photos prior showed much of the track completely flooded, which had racegoers and punters anxious to know if the meeting would go ahead or not. Eventually it was decided to hold over Saturday’s fixtures to the Monday (St Brigid’s Day) with Sunday thankfully able to go ahead as planned.

IN NATIONAL Hunt Racing all roads lead not to Rome, but to Cheltenham. The four-day festival, held in March each year, has evolved and grown to such significance that discussions and analysis now start many months in advance.