Robbie Mac is back this weekend Robbie McNamara will be back in action this weekend after a spell on the sidelines with a severe flu. The talented amateur returned from the Cheltenham Festival feeling unwell forcing him to miss two rides on St Patrick’s weekend at Down Royal and Navan. The Limerick rider’s condition was not improved by news that he was hit with a €500 fine for failing to show at Down Royal, and he also missed out on a winner (Irish Thistle) at Navan. “I came back from Cheltenham with a dose of the flu and I was out for a week and a half. I have been over in Portugal for the last few days, and will be back riding at the weekend,” explained McNamara. He added, “I wrote into the Turf Club (explaining non-appearance at Down Royal) and I never heard anymore from it. It was the same circumstances the following day and I didn’t get a fine, so I don’t understand why I got fined in the first place. “I’m just looking forward to being back for Fairyhouse, and looking ahead to the Festival at Punchestown.”
