After racing finished
there was live transmission of a well-known handicap chase from Aintree. My
main bet here had been The Last Samuri each-way at 12/1. What a great ride
David Bass gave him. Must admit I was out of my seat as they jumped the last!
Back to Dublin and a
stop-off at Ireland's oldest pub - The Brazen Head - not far from our
hotel.
The Leopardstown journey
was much more relaxing than Saturday's marathon. Just a 22-minute tram ride
from St Stephen's Green to Sandyford. Followed by a five-minute courtesy bus to
the track. Therefore plenty of time to hit the National Gallery for a bit of
(free) pre-racing culture. My highlights: the Caravaggio, the Vermeer plus the five
or six Jack Yates' pictures on display (rotated from their collection).
Although the quality of
racing was much higher the number of runners and the attendance wasn't
dissimilar to Gowran. Talking of Vermeer we were looking forward to Johannes in
the 2,000 Guineas trial but he didn't run. Hence with the second race reduced
to a four-runner the Placepot became an interesting proposition and we
submitted our perms. Got the shock in the second we were hoping for and we were
on target going into the final leg: we were fourth beaten a s.h. for a 392.30
dividend!
The four-leg jackpot was
also in-play. I like this bet when the fourth leg is clearly the most difficult
as was the case here. I concentrated on soft ground performers with a 3-2-3-5
perm for 90 euro staked. Winning legs included a double for D.K.Weld (following his treble at Gowran). His Harzand earned a 20/1 quote for the Derby.
Harzand: impressive in Derby
trial
The jackpot paid 454.90
whereas the S.P. equivalent was 312.00.
Jackpot
joy at Leopardstown
It had been heavy going
for the horses but easy going for us.
Two winning days for me
culminating in the jackpot. Oceans of seafood at Davy Byrne's followed. To
bring the weekend to a close it was Temple Bar for a few pints of Porterhouse's
Oyster Ale accompanied by excellent live music.
April 2016
Additional pictures not included in the London Racing Club magazine article:
The boys tucking in at the rooftop bar, Gowran Park
Johannes Vermeer: A lady writing a letter with her maid c. 1670, National Gallery, Dublin
Kilkenny Castle: where's the race bus?
Restaurant balcony view of the wide open spaces of Gowran Park
Toe The Line provides an easy last race winner for us on the tote...
The excellent Brazen Head, Dublin. Has an outdoor no-smoking area!
Good racing at Leopardstown but not many here to see it.....
Plenty of choice at the Porterhouse, Temple Bar
Live music most evenings at the Porterhouse
Chaps enjoying Porterhouse's Oyster Ale