Punters need some help ahead of the Cheltenham invasion
■ The Cheltenham Festival takes place soon, and Irish punters, jockeys and trainers, and of course the great Irish horses, all go together to make this great festival what it is.
The late, great Con Houlihan once said in answer to a loudmouthed English so-called racing pundit, who suggested barring the Irish from Cheltenham, that: “Without the Irish at Cheltenham you might as well run it at Sedgefield on a wet Monday.”
The Irish punter is a rare breed. He may lose his cash, but never his dash.
That said, it’s about time there was an investigation into some mysterious results from some of our biggest stables.
Just because a horse is the favourite does not mean it always wins.
But it’s strange how many times the favourite is beaten by his stable companion, who is at six or seven times greater odds.
No, it’s not my imagination, nor am I talking through my pocket.
One of our wise racing pundits suggested such to someone who questioned the result of a race.
This same pundit talks the talk, but they wouldn’t buy you an ice cream.
It’s time the punter was given some sort of a chance to win.
Otherwise racecourses will echo to the sound of silence.
Fred Molloy Clonsilla, Dublin 15