THERE are just a few words you associate with Punchestown mid-week, blue sky, lots of space, no dress code!

You can come in any attire and it’s just a huge day out for anyone connected with horses. It’s perhaps not the youngest crowd, but after Fairyhouse at Easter, that’s not a bad thing and it is a working day for most. It’s a good mix of male and female.

Even with a crowd of 26,432 there is still lots of space to get about. The picnic bench area is full and has a nice vibe.

You can dress up, of course, but it was certainly more casual than smart among racegoers - although Marietta Doran on the Best Dressed stage had a contender who pulled out her Victoria Beckham!

Marietta must have been listening to Aidan promoting his Guineas runners a few weeks ago, since she found the contestants “absolutely incredible” (Gary or it’s Brendan this time!).

Round and about, there’s no shortage of food outlets and the covered bar area, without leaving the parade ring area, it’s just really easy going grabbing food or drink.

The shopping village (20 stands, mainly art and fashion) has moved indoors and renamed ‘Osprey Avenue’.

New hospitality facility added just after the winning line, named The Horsewalk Pavilion - lunch package priced at between €289 and €399 each day. Who said there was a recession looming?

This year, there is a covered marquee just inside the main entrance. Called the Kildare Village Pavilion, it was understandably quiet on a sunny day (who wants to be in the shade?), but it will be welcome when the inevitable downpour arrives.

Standing alongside the parade ring, two racegoers watching the runners engage in chat and it proceeds to one asking, “and are you a local?” “No”, is the reply. “I’m from county Clare”. “I don’t suppose you know Con and Mary O’Neill?” “Indeed I do, shure his nephew lives down the road from me, didn’t he give me a tip for a 50/1 winner.” There’s Ireland for you, never far away from somebody’s relatives nor one to give you a tip for a horse. The racing community runs deep.

I’m not so sure about running the main race of the day as the second last, even though that is becoming more of an occurrence everywhere.

It felt a long run through four hurdle races, some not that high in quality, and the bumper, leading to the big climax, and often people like to stay in the buzz surrounding a top-class winning performance,

Perhaps it suits TV and the bookies say that interest wanes as soon as the big race is over. There were no bookmakers pitches allowed down by the Pavilions and Sky Bar, which it seems is under debate.

Winners are hard to find Jacovec Cavern 33/1, Le Frimeur 18/1, With Nolimit 14/1. One man in the stands beside me gets agitated at With Nolimit taking the bumper. “These **** that can’t win anywhere else are coming here and winning!” Relax, everyone gets a look in here! Anthony from AKBets posts in his X review “These really are results from the Gods”.

But there are great stories behind them and good interviews from Harry Derham having his first Grade 1 winner and the same for Josh Halford, delighted to step in at late notice and snatch the bumper.

Poster horse

Fact To File could be a poster horse for promoting the racehorse. He walks fast around the parade ring, catches and passes out Inothewayurthinkin, even at a walk. Leading past the stands with his ears pricked, don’t tell me he’s not enjoying what he is doing.

Gaelic Warrior gets the great cheer as he lands over the second last. He began his great season here in November when he wasn’t even favourite for the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and it’s been a magnificent road to Cheltenham and back to Punchestown for his grand finale. He had plenty to live up to after Galopin Des Champs and deserves all the acclaim.

He is still excitable after unsaddling and the photos with the winning connections take a bit of time to gather together.

Some people reported encountering long delays exiting the car park on Wednesday (have you been to Ratoath on National day?), but those of us from this paper had no trouble, even leaving straight after the last race. The parking areas and roads were well staffed.

All in all, it was a great day out, offering all you could want in a sporting occasion that you would be happy to bring even those less interested in the racing to attend.