AFTER travailing through the current hell that is the M7, it was a relief to sweep up the hill to the Curragh and follow the clear directions to our designated car park D last Saturday, Irish 2000 Guineas day.

The parking was well policed but unfortunately the surface was extremely rough, easily ankle twisting, even without heels. Hopefully, more grading and kinder gravel will be in situ next time.

As one of our well-known racing broadcasters, parking alongside said, the going in there was “good to sharp”.

It would be an extra bonus for the tired racegoer if when leaving at the end of the day, an exit gate nearer the car parks could be opened rather than having to go round to the turnstiles again.

On to the entrance gates and with people converging towards the turnstiles, it was clear racegoers had dressed for the occasion, most smartly turned out and with the weather obliging, the outfits got a good chance to be admired. Not too much fake tan in evidence here.

A nice touch was the welcoming staff as you approached the entrance, asking if you had a ticket and giving directions to reception and ticket collection.

The media centre for journalists was small and compact, with an overflow facility near the Queen’s Room, and screens, internet and sound quality all fit the bill – definitely a nice feel to it.

Bookies’ stands

Along with a young racing fan, we headed to the bookies’ square where by no stretch of the imagination could you say business was heaving. The young lady was happy however, when collecting her winnings for Mr Lupton, she got a bit extra back “for luck”. Tipperary’s Jamie Spencer worked the oracle on Mr Lupton and that crooked grin was wider after the next race, the big one, as Phoenix Of Spain swept up the Curragh of Kildare.

Racegoers flooded out on to the stands for the Guineas and the noise level rose a decibel or two, with enthusiastic cheering by groups of young fellas having the day out – plenty of non-Irish accents among them.

The view from the stands on to the track and the Curragh heath is magnificent and a vast, clear television screen also zoomed in on the action.

Emotions were running high in the parade ring after the Guineas win as the family of Phoenix Of Spain’s breeder, the late Cherry Faeste (née Myerscough), cheered the result alongside a beaming trainer Charlie Hills and owners Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer.

The tall figure of Matt Dempsey was in the thick of it as CEO of the Irish National Stud who had acquired the stallion rights to Phoenix Of Spain the previous December. Bonuses all round for whoever made that call.

Snatched pieces of low conversation could be overheard around the parade ring as some breeders listed their Lope De Vega progeny and how, of course, they got into him early.

One comment that was passed on to The Irish Field by a viewer watching the televised official opening ceremony on Sunday was the lack of female representation on the platform.

Come on men in grey suits, move over a bit.

Chatting to Edmond Mahony, chair of Tattersalls, main sponsor of the Guineas meeting, the next event on his mind was this weekend’s Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair at Fairyhouse, their own prominent Irish international equine event.

He was enjoying himself at the Curragh and thought the place was fantastic.

On to the Derby Festival.

Daughter-In-Law and Nathan Crosse storm home in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Maiden last Saturday \ carolinenorris.ie