While Enda Kenny sits on his be-hind, meeting up with Merkel types to talk rubbish about the salvation of our economy, one man has taken the recession by the scruff of the neck and slapped it hard in the face.
He goes by the name of Willie Mullins. Barely had us bookmakers time to gasp after the victory of the Fly, than Quevega struck another blow, scoring the last leg of a hat trick for our Champion trainer.
So now that the first day of the festival has our country out of the red and the bookmakers reaching for the smelling salts, where should we invest our cash? Well, shortly his son Patrick will take the mount of Back In Focus in the first race and I believe another winner for Willie.
Sprinter Sacre is an unbackable price and nothing more can be said on the horse without delving into rehashed cliché. So sit back and watch the 3.20 with awe and be glad you were born in the same generation.
He won’t be the only star on show as I believe Pont Alexandre is the next "Big Thing". A horse with more style than Saville Row, he oozes class and will win the Neptune with swagger. He's stunningly and a sight to behold so hurry up and get your money down!
In the closing race of the day one horse who deserves to win is the four year old Le Vent D'Antan. When I say deserve, what I really mean is that I want him to win. Trained by the clever Liz Doyle and ridden by Amateur Mikey Fogarty he is in safe hands but with just a sole run under his belt, age and inexperience could be a worry. It is a hugely open contest but I will back with sentiment on this one.
The RSA just isn’t really doing it for me. Not sure why but despite being the choice of the Champion, Ruby's mount Unioniste hasn't captured my imagination and Boston Bob may not be the horse he once was. Instead I’m going for outsider Lygreen Legend at a loftier price for Dessie Hughes.
Speaking of bigger prices, once finished this blog I am going to weather the cold and venture to the bookmakers to have a small wager on Un Beau Matin in the Coral Cup. His trainer Gordon Elliot isn't slow and I don’t believe this horse is either. I like his chances and with Davy aboard I think he will run into the money.
Nearly under starters orders...Enjoy!
-Hayley O'Connor
Image: Hurricane Fly ridden by Ruby Walsh on the way to winning the Stan James Champion Hurdle
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
