Irish Graded Jumps Racing

My two today Risk Belle and James Du Berlais

Thanks - thats really helpful

I understand that lack of opposition can be frustrating for some, but is it really so bad to see a mini Cheltenham over 2 days in Ireland. Odds-on is not for everyone of course, but they are priced as such for a reason and can be layed. Leopardstown is not a bad course and Irish hospitality with warmth and a smile is a bonus.

MJK, i agree with JDB

What would you prefer to Grade 1 races, all weather Class 6's?

Yes, there are some relatively poor races this weekend with one standout runner, but against that the Arkle was a top class renewal, and the novice hurdle and Champion Hurdle are good renewals today. You are never going to have the Cheltenham Festival in February. Most of the Irish 'names' have turned out, and it doesn't help that no English horses have turned up.

I thought the novice chase was a fabulous race. Chock full of class. Irrespective whether the majority where from the stable , they all ran on their merits.
The last 3 home beaten 35 lengths plus had all finished placed in a Grade 1.

just got back today . weather lovely, admission more than reasonable to see so many top class horses . a little word of warning ; they obviously had no ticket limits . i'm afraid the queues for food and drink were , unfortunatley like a ' mini cheltenham ' . a near 40% increase in attendance is a  remarkable achievement and i know rugby on big screen, bank holiday weekend , etc but they just need to rethink a few things if this is going to be a trend . on a more positive note so many young people there and no signs of any real idiot behaviour from my eyeline . on a less positive note i failed to get one home first past the post . luckily i swerved the odds on pokes .

Christmas was the same as I mentioned on here at the time. Bars full of the Peaky Blinder mob and few with more interest in the actual horses than the beer.

Windsor enjoyed reading your post,  only went yesterday and wasn't drinking as driving as I don't mind and when I return home I'll have a few but was foundered and glad to hear when on way home everyone was going home after the meal(originally going to local Gaa dlub)instead of having a couple more,no one had any bother getting a drink yesterday and I said arrive early and enjoy a few pints b4 crowd arrived(as could be trouble later)and was surprised so many were there  b4 us but not in the bar,the guys had a great day and we're served all day as far as I know drinking hot ones and pints so leopardstown is doing something right

Windsor post is spot on in particular there are simply nowhere near enough toilets and this has been the case since the first Dublin festival where there were smaller crowds,also the food outlets need increasing or staffed better,leopardstown do an awful lot right,great communication,excellent free bus service from the tram stop,£50 euro for two days (Cheltenham around £80 a day),8 grade ones and a good balance of entertainment in the big tent,as Windsor rightly says a few things need a rethink .