A scoreline of three winners only from 64 Irish-trained runners at Cheltenham might support the belief that our raiders had played such a small role at this year's Festival that we would have been far better employed staying at home 'snaggin turnips' as Myles Na gCopaleen used to say.
However, this impression is very far from the reality given that 30 per cent of all Irish runners reached the first four, the winners being backed up by six seconds, five thirds and five fourths.
Arthur Moore was out of luck's way especially with Feathered Leader who was an enormous each-way gamble in the Mildmay Of Flete Challenge Cup from 20 to 1 down to 8 to 1. Entering the straight he looked nailed on for a place but he weakened to finish fifth in a race where the bookmakers were paying a quarter the odds on the first four.
Prior to Cheltenham his horses had been in smashing form and he will be challenging for an accumulator at Leopardstown tomorrow with Masalarian (2.0), Tyndarius (3.30), Mini Sensation (4.0) and Cantiam (4.30).
Three jockeys are involved but the value amongst this quartet could be Conor O'Dwyer's mount Mini Sensation for Vanilla Man whom he beat at Gowran Park last month ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Coral Cup.
Tom Magnier's dream of a Cheltenham winner will have to wait another year but with the ground drying out, he can have a consolation success with Hang `Em High.
Ruby Walsh's extraordinary attempt to defy the Law of Gravity on Rince Ri in the Gold Cup was thwarted but he too could have a Leopardstown consolation through the medium of Bush- man's River, one of last season's smart juvenile hurdlers.
The Irish Independent Irish Grand National Trial at Gowran Park today looks a race for one of the lightweights and I go nap on Nibalda.
As his form figures reveal, he does not always get around but when he does he is usually in the thick of the final tussle. Already this year he emerged a six-length winner from Eddie at Naas this year.
You Know Best's owner Tom Costello should retain possession of the Teyratema Cup for another 12 months while Galbally Star (3.30) has the consistency to pick up a handicap like this.
