FINALLY, after a stressful, ‘oh no they won’t, oh yes they will’ week of checking weather forecasts and IHRB notices, prayers were answered on Sunday morning. Hallelujah, we’re off to the DRF as the track was given the go ahead for the two days of action-packed, top-class competition.

Get there early was a wise intention, no one was leaving this to the last 10 minutes. “I can’t let you down there, it’s full up,” said the car park attendant stopping me on the Ballyogan entrance. Even waving my press card access can’t beat the crowds today.