Francis Hyland has stood at Galway for over 40 years and has witnessed fundamental changes during that time. “The profile of people attending the Festival, or indeed racing in general, has changed greatly over the past 20 years. There are now far less punters among the crowd and the betting ring is no longer what it once was.”

Hyland explains how there are many more opportunities for punters to bet than was the case when he started out:- “in the early days punters had to come racing in order to have a bet, later they could place bets in the shops but now they are spoiled for choice, with overnight and morning prices, internet and phone betting and the exchanges. With so many outlets available to the average punter, they can place a variety of bets without ever being anywhere near Ballybrit.”