“THERE’S no cheering now – the bookies take strike one. If that’s a sign for the week to come, it could be a long one!”

Yep, that’s how it all began – punters beware – the west’s awake and it’s after your dough.

It was Richard Pugh’s commentary as Royal Eagle got the better of the favourite Hms Seahorse in the opening hurdle on Monday evening.

Galway in all its glory is back, if the craic is predictable, the results are forever not so.

Royal Eagle is owned by Paddy and David Monaghan and Adam Lord and Gordon Elliott in his post-race interview, remembers the owners’ Salford City “one of the first I ever had in training.” Young David junior is delighted having been ridding the filly out at home.

Ruby Walsh is at the main presenting controls and reminds the panel, Jane Mangan, Fran Berry and Andy McNamara, of their individual Galway successes, spanning over more than two decades. 2000? Is Fran really that old!?

Jane admitted that of all the closed-door meetings over the previous two years, she had found “Galway the most difficult – it’s all about the atmosphere.”

Brian Gleeson catches Brian Graham in the betting ring, on the Graham pitch that has stood for “65-70 years.” He has praise for the Galway team’s social media campaign, new buildings, shelter. “We need mixed cards in Irish racing, that’s how this place does seven days. The next generation of the Graham family is around the corner there so we’ll be here for a while yet!”

Good form

The TV roving reporter managed to find Galway fans still in good form despite the All-Ireland defeat. One believes Kerry will now do four-in-a-row. No, Pat Healy was not prompting him!

Galway’s Michael Moloney speaks of the preparations after two solemn years. “I don’t think we knew how much we missed it until we saw people coming in again. Gates open, cash or card, new bars, new restaurants, we’ve tried to improve the racecourse, 50 live music acts, and a huge family day on Sunday.”

Richard Pugh recalls, particularly appropriate on the evening of a major amateur riders’ race, that it would be seven years on Tuesday send JT McNamara left us, and the late George McGrath is also recalled.

It’s taken 16 attempts but Patrick Mullins never has a moment’s worry on Echoes In Rain in the big race.

“It’s the amateur Derby, my father won it on Pargan for my grandfather.” There are still a few boxes to be ticked on Mullins junior’s career.

“The Foxhunters in Aintree, the Kim Muir in Cheltenham, a Galway Plate wouldn’t go astray either.”

Tuesday’s tales

Tuesday was all about the Magic Lads Syndicate.

We’d almost forgotten how racing, and the big festivals, revolve around stories like this from Richie Walsh and the six lads and a small trainer in Brian Duffy combining in the purchase and training of Magic Chegaga.

For the wonderful randomness of success in Irish racing, Galway’s winner’s enclosure is the place to find it. And it reminded of how much we missed owners’ interviews and the shared joy of success.

We began though, with the panel all growing rather large heads since yesterday. U2 or You4? Jane Mangan steps into the lead role and assumes the Bono head. Ted Walsh is lost under The Edge.

Ruby has moved to RTV for the Tuesday and gives more paddock insight. Enniskerry, “suntanned”, “three different colours, bleached from being in the field.” But this paddock insight is good and often more astute than “looks like a chaser” we often get. He was also keen on Dunum who looked a picture and was taking his races well before he added another win.

Back on the track, Enniskerry takes the novice chase and gets praise from his rider Sean Flanagan for some fine leaps.

“When he eyes them up, he’s a knowledgeable enough sort of a lad, “Flanagan says to Katie Walsh.

Ted is quick to spot Maria Cullen leading up Enniskerry for Barry Connell. “The first professional female rider over jumps in Ireland.”

Though he is quick to correct Jane on Barry Connell’s winners in the saddle, whether he had ridden out his claim. “If Barry Connell rode 75 winners, I’m Moby Dick.” That’s a change from The Edge!

There’s no Sam Maguire in attendance but the Galway All-Ireland Minor Champions get a look in.

Smart one

Richard Pugh calls in commentary that Dermot Weld has won the maiden 14 times since 1990, “we’re looking at a smart one here.” And Tahiyra wasn’t even favourite!

Chris Hayes tells Katie after he had ridden Tahiyra in work for the first time for Dermot Weld. “I thought I was after unearthing one that no one would know about. I said ‘she can go a bit?’ And he told me she was a half-sister to Tarnawa – it didn’t take Sherlock Holmes to find her!”

The tales of the breakdowns and prayers in Rochfortbridge and Loughrea are delivered before the Colm Quinn BMW Mile with Richie Walsh already clued in to the fact that Colin Keane had a car mishap before his first bit win on Brendan Brackan nine years ago.

Richie, Francis and Paul and the luminous green ties are the photos of the day.

Redmond McGrath and Maureen Hehir are also delighted with a Galway win by Coreman, planned with trainer Pat Murphy since last year. You have to be well prepared if you are going to Galway!