I'd love if we'd have an Irish version of Goodwood

Probably one of the weakest rings of the major UK courses and festivals. Handsome Man huge gamble doubt there was major money down on it.

Don,t know is it very safe there,2nd race today a horse has slipped on a bend.

Actually while the setting is lovely and the quality of racing is v good -the course itself is not so attractive....principally because there is a camber in the straight that throws horses in towards the rail -this leads to frequent bunching and horses getting no runs and stewards inquiries and suspensions.
You rarely see the field fan out as happens more elsewhere -I'm talking about handicaps where many horses can be contending inside the last furlong and a half or so.

were i have to agree re the camber ....the racecourse is magnificent , the bunching is  the same at a lot of the major courses  in  england ....epsom sandown are tracks that have the same problem ....

Poor man's Tramore imo....

We have spectacular racecourses in Ireland,Killarney racecourse with its stunning scenery,Gowran the same even Sligo with its views of Benbulben,Punchestown and Thurles are unique in their own way and The Curragh is in a class of its own.Clonmel has a lovely sylvan setting and Laytown is famous the world over so rather than swoon over Goodwood the original poster should try going to a race meeting in Ireland.

Been to three of those and Sligo is quality on a good evening or day, Punchestown is nothing special imo, Kilarney looks well alright i was a bit drunk there and was only there for one race when i had a horse going. But it's the course i like and the way there is like a natural amphitheatre at Goodwood and the figure of 8 course, just seems class.

Bellewstown aswell wildman. The best of the lot for stunning scenery. Come to Meath RF, sure why wouldnt ye

There next week the fly, nect Monday to be exact

Was on Crockafotha Hill once and it has some spectacular views,unfortunately i wasn`t there in 1975.

Would loved to have been there that day Wildman imagine organising something like that. Genius, to get a horse right for that day and then think about how you can block the phone lines was amazing.

Might go to the races they're on the end of the month sometime.

Barney Curley some man. Dont know much about him but that coup is something else, genius :)

What brings you down this neck of the woods RF??

Hurling clinic the fly

Nah just joking :) we're playing Drogheda in the League cup semi final next Monday afternoon. Any sign of gant this week? He must be cursing itching to get at his computer but knows he'll make a fool of himself.

Must be in Dunganny is it? Well best of luck hope you enjoy your visit to our beautiful county

Haha was wondering alright why a Sligonian would be coming down to Meath to show us how to hold a hurl

Ah d owl soccer best of luck with it! Miss Gant aswell, hopefully he'll be back in action here soon!!

How do you see the quarters going thia weekend? I know connacht football is bad but i fancy Mayo -2. Mayo should have hammered us on the connacht final. They're capable of much better than that i fancy that game will bring them on. Could be famous words but i think this Down side are not much.

Not sure what i think of Cork v Kidare, i thought Kildare looked very ordinary last weekend it's just that we were so bad, saying that they probably have a few gears left in them yet. I fancy Donegal as well they're full of confindence up there absolutely brimming with it but i think they have reason to be.

I reckon Down will take Mayo. I think they have the better forwards than them (even with the absence of Hughes, Clarke from last season) this may be the difference. I agree Mayo are capable of much better and as you said should come on leaps and bounds from the Sligo test. I predicted Tipp to beat Down last weekend, but they put in an impressive performance after gettin their arses handed to them by Donegal. They now come to Croke Park with their tails up. The midfield battle will have a huge bearing on the game.

Cork will have their hands full with Kildare but I'll still go for them to win with 3-4pts to spare. Massive game for the Lillies first division 1 team they meet this year in the championship, you have to remember they've only beat Division 3 outfits in the championship so far although Cork will be rusty and like I mentioned in another topic they've only played two games since the league final.

Kerry and Donegal is the big one. Huge test for both sides. I dont know who to go for I'm just going for a stalemate and predict a flaring encounter where scores will be hard come by.

Laois / Dublin - Dubs have showed nothing this year and are still winning handy. But really cant see Laois threatening them.