SEEING Pat Smullen at the Curragh on Sunday was special. No amount of rain could dampen the spirit of the man, and the gods endorsed his presence when Search For A Song won the final Irish classic of the year. It was a weekend when goodness prevailed.

That goodness extended to each and every person who played a part in making Pat’s appeal for cancer trials’ funding such a success, and racing showed its best collegiate face to the world. In spite of counter attractions on Saturday and unfavourable weather on Sunday, the crowds turned up and racing put on the best show it could muster. What a spectacle it was.