THERE was a new face behind the microphone for Leopardstown coverage as the sidelined rider Jonathan Burke joined Robert Hall for RTÉ’s coverage of the Irish Gold Cup meeting.

Jonathan explained about the injury of two fractured vertebrae that will see him grounded for the month of February.

A replay of the first race many have set the tone for the afternoon. “It’s one, two, three Willie Mullins as they come to the final flight,” calls Tony O’Hehir in the finish of the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle.

There’s an interview with Aidan McGarry, who manages racehorse ownership for HRI, on one of the topics of the moment – the treatment of owners.

“What does the modern owner want these days?” asks Robert Hall, Aidan lists recent improvements. “One of the main things HRI have focused on in recent years is reducing cost and increasing prize money, the racecourse experience is equally important. At Leopardstown every owner can now access the owners and trainers’ lounge and bring three guests with them and have a complimentary three course lunch.” The footage of diners enjoying lunch made for pleasant viewing.

“With the distribution of the €100m capital fund, one of the main aspects is to improve the owners’ experience,” Aidan added.

Back racing and Andy Mac hadn’t heard of Charming Groom, sire of Bleu Et Rouge. “A stallion I wouldn’t know much about.” Neither did the rest of us. After the Flogas Novice Chase, Ted compliments the winner Outlander as a “gutsy bugger,” and compares the tracks at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. “This is the greatest track in the world, Cheltenham is not,” says Ted, while he asks Jonathan of his impressions of Cheltenham - was it everything you thought it would be?

“Last year was my first festival, unbelievable. The excitement would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck when you’re walking out that chute and canter up to the top of the hill and all the way back down. The famous roar - you can actually hear it. You’re a good half a mile away from it and you can actually hear it, it’s a sensational feeling,” said the young Cork rider.

There’s a tribute to Risk Of Thunder, “a helluva leeper,” says Ted, and a visit by Tracy to Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra Stables gives an insight to the planning involved in getting “an army to Cheltenham” with Zoe Winston and Camilla Sharples doing all the organising.

Fashion guru Darren Kennedy selected pretty in pink Laura Jayne Halton as most stylish lady and first time visitor Dylan Martin from Colorado as most edgy dressed. Dylan is “a bit left of centre but effortlessly cool’’.

Quickly back to Andy and an equine contender getting dressed for action and Noel Meade might be a bit edgy too as he saddles up Road To Riches for the Irish Gold Cup.

Carlingford Lough’s unlikely win fairly put the glee in Gleeson. “What a race, Tony O’Hehir, what a race,” Brian shares his delight in the result and congratulates “a famous day for the man from Dungarvan’’. Afterwards Mark Walsh tells Robert: “I was nearly going to pull up.”

We end with Brian asking Donn McClean to assess the state of play in the championship races at Cheltenham. Faugheen is untouchable, Un Des Sceaux in the Champion Chase is like the 100 metres and a test of jumping agility. Donn favours Vautour on the brilliance that he showed last year “but if you put a line though Djakadam’s fall, he had drifted to a price that’s very interesting.” Donn ponders … “I keep on getting drawn back to Vautour because of his brilliance - it’s just a question of will he stay.”

Robert signs off with Jonathan Burka again. “Where’s your money for the Gold Cup - if you could bet?’’ (of course).“Djakadam. A fall can happen to the best of them.” It’s 37 days and counting…