YOU’D forgive someone less versed with racing knowledge on this morning’s flight from Cork to Heathrow, for presuming they were accompanied by a posse of travelling supporters of a football or rugby team.

However it won’t be the red of Munster or green of Ireland on display, it’ll be the blue and orange synonymous with Un De Sceaux, as a reportedly 34-strong O’Connell party head for Berkshire.