Apache Farewell

WHILE we heap praise on the victors, we also remember the few who didn’t come home from Leopardstown. It must be particularly sad after all the work that had gone into getting Apache Stronghold back to the track, for him to lose his life. Commiserations to all who looked after him.

And they’re off!

HOW strange to note in the Racing Post’s birthday lists on Wednesday that commentators Richard Hoiles and Mark Johnson were born on exactly the same day in the same year.

Better Fortune

IN the owners ranks, surely Chris Jones deserves a bit of luck this season. After losing Mega Fortune and Zabana, Ordinary World was launching a significant challenge in the Coral Dublin Chase when he almost lost Davy Russell at the last and on Sunday, Troytown winner Mala Beach was pulled up in the Gold Cup. No one would begrudge him a big run from any of his runners at the Festival.

Minor grumble

IT was a pity that with only a maximum of eight runners in all the four big races at Leopardstown on Saturday, the full card could not be placed on two facing pages.

Prickly!

ROBERT, Ted and Danny Mullins had a discussion on RTE Racing on Saturday on what colour the take-off board on a hurdle should be, to help a horse jump best, orange or white.

Racegoers on Sunday heard some more colourful images. What colour would “four shades of a prick” turn out to be! More the orange variety? You’ll never hear the like on Racing UK.