IT'S only November and, somehow, I think you would get a full house in many venues if we began the Cheltenham preview nights right now.
It’s a bit like the Pertemps qualifers. We need a series of preview nights through the winter and only the best panellists qualify for the big nights in early March.
Such is the strength in depth in Irish jump racing, you simply can’t afford not to watch a full card from the first race to the bumper at the moment, for fear of missing another potential star unveiled.
And it also looks like the Mullins team are, as usual, only getting into gear by mid-November. There are many more names being mentioned from the yard that as of yet have not been seen on the racetrack this season.
As the song goes “Things can only get better.”
Right: Apple's Jade and Jack Kennedy impress at Navan
Last weekend Apple’s Jade, Next Destination and Footpad all put in near-perfect performances. The big names are still to appear – the likes of Douvan and Faugheen are nearing their return. That will heighten the debates to another level.
What is becoming clear is that the quality of jumping talent in Ireland is deeper than previously enjoyed by racing fans.
The two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown next February may have been created at an ideal time. It should allow Irish trainers to have their stars ready for a proper home battle, yet not risk going to Cheltenham any less-prepared than in previous years.
Winter’s here, frosty fields – but the steam’s rising!
A Gold Cup for everyone?
Might Bite made a pleasing return at Sandown on Sunday and he throws another different set of colours into the Gold Cup picture that already has the shape of an incredible race - even if only half the intended runners get there.
RIGHT: Might Bite returned with an impressive win at Sandown under Nico de Boinville
And did someone say racing is dominated by a few big owners?
The current betting has 11 different sets of colours borne by the top 20 in the betting.
Thistlecrack, Sizing John, Might Bite, Yorkhill, Native River, Our Duke, Coneygree, Bristol De Mai, Acapella Bourgeois and Cloudy Dream have been mentioned. Then add the two Ricci horses in Douvan and Djakadam, two McManus horses in Coney Island and Minella Rocco, a few from Gigginstown including Road To Respect, Disko and Outlander.
It’s potentially a truly phenomenal cast and demonstrates that, even now, in this era of big money buyers, a championship race can still be for the many rather than just for the few.
Girls get the chances
The last few years have seen a most welcome increase in the amount of lady riders getting the chance to prove themselves. We have had Katie and Nina as role models in Ireland.
Victoria Pendelton’s escapade in the Foxhunters last year gained equal amounts of positive and negative coverage but, without a doubt, it brought more attention to lady riders, and on what can be achieved in a short space of time, given a thorough preparation.
We knew that girls, given the chance, were good enough, but there were still only a few trainers who would give them a chance, and most were in Ireland.
LEFT: Bryony Frost (red) on her way to winning the Foxhunters at Cheltenham last year (Photo HEALY RACING)
The 2017 Cheltenham Festival saw all three races confined to amateur riders won by ladies. Now Lisa O’Neill is a regular on the Gigginstown team and, last Saturday, Bryony Frost partnered Present Man to win the Badger Ale Chase for Paul Nicholls, her first big win since turning professional last summer.
It was great to see her fine show of strength in a finish and keeping her cool under pressure.
Here’s hoping, with Nina back in the saddle as well, it’s a winter of more success for the girls.
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