ONE of the races at Punchestown next Tuesday is called ‘Thank You Snowy for 40 Years at Punchestown Maiden Hurdle’. Martin ‘Snowy’ Pearse is the facilities manager and the race is to honour a lifetime of dedication.

CEO Conor O’Neill, a happy man to have racing back at Punchestown at last, took up the story: “Yes, next Tuesday, September 8th will be exactly 40 years ago to the day that Martin started at Punchestown – that’s some fantastic record of service.”