Who fears to speak of 96?

We’ve had some good moments this year, was great see Kildare do so well in Leinster, and of course still in the series, last night fairly convincing over Wicklow. Kerry appear to have vanished last I checked they were losing to Antrim and whilst a second half comeback seems inevitable, it does open the championship this year to see them struggle so.

Hurling I fancy Tipp to make an impact, perhaps not knock off the Cats but probably go closer than anyone else. Galway are doing very well but I’d still rank them third after KK and Tipp, at this moment anyhow. Limerick held their own against Dublin and it was great to see the Dub hurlers (as opposed to the footballers grrr) doing so well.

Not much else to look at, everyone else gone, Waterford just about alive, Clare gone to the dogs, Offaly, Antrim obviously awful..

I save special mention for my own Wexford. What has happened to the spirit of 98? How the mighty have fallen again and again. I was brought up to know a team that could challenge every year, and as my father-in-law is very fond of saying, the last team ever to win a ‘proper’ all-Ireland (in 1996 just before the backdoor introduced). Even up till quite recently we were a force to be reckoned with. In 2003 I finally persuade my wife to attend a hurling match with me and she was rewarded with the “game of the century” as some commentators in their more hyperbolic moments after described it, 2003 hurling semi-final Wexford v. Cork, absolute cracker of a game, Wexford ahead at half time and a replay sealed by a goal ball in the last puck of the game.

So how the hell are they not able to win a game to save themselves now? Offaly doesn’t count, sorry. We want to see Wexford challenging the best of them and able on any given Sunday, to thrill and spill and pull off the upset because that’s what they always did.

The relegation finals are now in sway and it is Wexford against Antrim next weekend to see one team go down to the Christy Ring next season. From a hurling point of view I want to see as much hurling as possible and encourage as much play as possible so I would say Carlow, Antrim, Westmeath, Laois bring them on, let them play and let them stay and lets make a contest out of it.

But Wexford I reserve opprobrium. I remember once during the election I was canvassing out a country road by Punchestown and I met a man walking. He opened by telling me he was a “raving Fianna Fáiler – and always would be” .. but no way would he vote for me or any the others in this election because he just despaired. What has happened to the mighty party he agonised. It pained him but he was going to punish the thing he loved this time around. He left with the words “Sometimes the animal needs to lose a limb to save the life”…

I feel that way perhaps now about Wexford hurlers. Other teams I can humour, forgive, even encourage on an off day. But Wexford deserve more and can give more and are capable of more. If relegation is the kick needed so be it. But I am sick of watching half-hearted miserable attempts and want the real Loch Garman back – whatever it takes to get there.

“At Vinegar hill the hilside blushed
terraced thousands died,
shaking sycthes at cannon…

And in the Autumn the barley grew up from their graves..”

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

2.40 Cooldine

5.15 Dunguib

EDIT: I gave these tips yesterday and they both won!

I will take one day at a time. Tomorrow is opening day. Nothing like it. Here goes:

13.30 ; Toss up between Torpichen and Cousin Vinny. Cousin Vinny from the leading Mullins stable but odds offer better value on Torpichen and I think that’s where my money will go tomorrow.

14.05 ; ForPaddyDePlasterer – moment and time have passed. Pixies best, Planet of Sound gets my vote here.

14.40 ; Crowded field and hard to call. Maybe Tot’O'Whiskey EW at 30-1

15.30 ; Champion Hurdle. The jewel in the crown. Lot of sentiment here. Sub been good in the past. Likewise fellow purple and gold warriour Inca. Hard to oppose either. Unusual for any horse to repeat here and tends to favour newcomers. Hardy Eustace great great horse with local connections but best track days must be behind at this stage (would they want back with the fire in now?!). Maybe Binocular with the run of the green but I might defy my own logic and punt on the Sub tomorrow for old times sake..

EDIT – I’m liking ‘Won in the Dark’ each way in the champion hurdle, winner at leopardstown and punchestown in the last twelve months. This one is made for up and comings.

16.40 ; Stick a pin and go for Oscar’s rebel.

Sin é for now. Good luck!

• Exotic Dancer in the Gold Cup; whenever there’s so much hype about two horses, it’s inevitable another will sneak through the middle..
• TakeYourMarks an excellent place chance..
• ForPaddyDePlasterer comes with a health warning – a Leopardstown horse apparently, not a Cheltenham one ; shades of Beef or Salmon; Charlie Chawke and the boys will toast the goat if he comes home first – but their seal has been driving down the odds in the meantime so I’ll be looking at it but only of the odds are right.
• Lastly FiveDream in the Triump ; don’t know much about it but heard the tip during week..

Remember there are no guarauntees in life, and especially not hores over hurdles – but if you’d taken my tips on Tuesday you’d have had a winner and an each-way out of three picks given, so not a bad record!

The track at Cheltenham

While the casual browsers and the mass media will herald Gold Cup day on Friday, in my book, the Champion Hurdle is the real pride of the fleet. An epic contest, fast and furious and full of passion, I’ve seen some class chases … Brave Inca, resplendent in purple and gold (and trained on the banks of the Ounavarra which I practically lived on, fishing rod in hand, many childhood summers..) .. Harchibald giving it one last coming up the Hill.. Hardy Eustace bringing the trophy back to Tullow in 2005…Last year’s surprise winner, Sublimity, beating all comers and coming from obscurity to steal the race (Though I had him at 33-1 ante-post from 3 months out – thanks to Darragh Fitzpatrick and some work colleagues who were in the know)

So how’s todays lineup looking? After the storms overnight we’re talking point-to-point territory today, and flat earthers will have no chance. A good (Irish) mud-lover with solid jumping ability is today’s ticket and there’s plenty of options.

I’m on a half day and will peruse the Racing Post and the tabloid picks on the train at 1pm, but from last night’s inspection the following jumped out:

Champion Hurdle

• ‘The Sub’ is in better nick than he was last year when he romped home by three lengths..
• However Sizing Europe is a worry, as is Osana. And I’d watch Punjabi on an each-way.
• Look out for good jumpers – it’s point to point territory there today. Flat earthers have no chance.

Supreme Novice 2pm

• Deep Purple has a good grade 2 record, and if can make the step up in grade, could be an eachway.
• Muirhead also has the credentials, but as any novice race, is limited info available.
• Captain Cee Bee getting a lot of air play…

Arkle Chase 2.35

• My money’s on Thyne Again