GALWAY brought the feelgood factor back to racing for a week after a spell in which the spotlight was on negative racing industry stories including the issue of stable staff working conditions.

For the past week we revelled in all that was good about racing. Watching the Galway winners, it all seemed like a huge bit of craic.

It showcased all that racing should encompass, factors which have been generally missing from Irish racing in recent years.

It wasn’t just the helicopters that were back, the ordinary people came out and made the week. Even if you were confined to work from afar, the craic was evident in the TV coverage.

There were, predictably, wins for the big three of Rich Ricci, Gigginstown and J.P. McManus. But then there was pure enjoyment from the Connelly family’s success with Miss Eyecatcher, to young Alan Jordan sharing Davy Russell’s Galway Plate success, to 96-year-old Bill Martin’s participation in the Michael O’Callaghan Racing Club and enjoying success with Perfect Soldier, even dragging in President Michael D for the congratulations.

Further excitement came from the Nap Racing Syndicate’s Remarkable Lady and Harry Rogers. A Galway winner after years of trying.

Young jockeys got a chance to shine among the old pros – Russell and Geraghty showed they are still the men for the big day. Sean Davis is the new name on the roll of honour, and Aubrey McMahon got the perfect boost any aspiring rider needs, on Whiskey Sour.

On the track, the new race replay machine was a smart addition as were racecards with all the races on one page.

Robbie McNamara’s first Galway winner brought the TV moment of the week when Tracy lost out in the Get Robbie Interview First Stakes to Galway Bay FM’S George McDonagh. Tracy was captured showing a little less grace than poor Barry Browne did when overhauled in the Hurdle.

We just need a Weld winner now and, for this week, all will be right with the world.