THIS week the Association of Irish Racing (AIR) column is dedicated to Tipperary Racecourse. Their Super Sunday fixture takes place on October 1st, kicking off the month in the best possible fashion with a top-class mixed flat and National Hunt programme.

The on-track action features three Grade 3 jumps races and the Listed Coolmore Sioux National Concorde Stakes for the flat fans, while there will be plenty of off-track entertainment for all to enjoy.

The card has attracted a terrific entry, with champion trainer Willie Mullins strongly represented in all the National Hunt graded races. It’s game on in the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle, with his recent Galway Hurdle winner, the four-year-old Zarak The Brave, bidding for a follow-up. In victory last time, he just got the better of Jesse Evans, who won this race in 2022.

With Galway in mind, it will be nothing short of thrilling to see who crosses the line first in the Grade 3 O’Dwyer Steel Dundrum Novice Chase for 2023. Last year’s race worked out particularly well as the first two home, Authorized Art and Ash Tree Meadow, filled the first two places in this season’s Galway Plate, albeit the other way around.

Mullins has won the Grade 3 Boylesports Novice Hurdle for the last three years and could be well-challenged this year by Henry de Bromhead, Peter Fahey and Gordon Elliott who has two possible runners.

On the flat, the feature is the Listed Coolmore Sioux Nation Concorde Stakes and last year’s winning trainer Joseph O’Brien goes up against Ger Lyons, Jim Bolger and Dermot Weld, all having won the race in the past five years, while Michael Halford and Tracey Collins, whose partnership has recently found full stride, have a likely type in the running.

ParisLongchamp

There is plenty of other exciting action, with the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, a strong-looking Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel Handicap, the Scarteen Pony Club race, the Racing TV Handicap Hurdle and the Peppermill Restaurant Nenagh Bumper which brings the on-track action to a conclusion.

Of course, the unmissable Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe due off at 3.05pm at ParisLongchamp, will be shown live on screens throughout the track.

Elsewhere, entertainment will be provided by CJ Kickham Brass Band which will be in full swing as the crowds arrive, while Handipak will be providing live music in the Bulmers Marquee. For the younger racegoers, there’s a playground and pet farm to be enjoyed.

Demand is high for this meeting and the restaurant is sold out, however the Bulmers Bundle is readily available. It includes admission, a racecard, a pint, a €10 food voucher and €5 Tote voucher all for €29. General admission is €20 but those who book online can avail of a discounted rate of €15.

The Association of Irish Racecourses would like to take this opportunity to wish Andrew Hogan and the whole team at Tipperary Racecourse the very best of luck with this weekend’s packed Super Sunday meeting.

Racing in Ireland for the next seven days will take place at:

Sunday, October 1st

Killarney, Tipperary

Monday, October 2nd

Fairyhouse

Tuesday, October 3rd

Galway

Wednesday,

October 4th

Navan

Thursday,

October 5th

Thurles

Friday, October 6th

Downpatrick, Dundalk

Saturday, October 7th

Fairyhouse, Curragh