Virtually the entire house building industry took a break from its gruelling trade this week to cheer on the Irish horses at Cheltenham. Many builders were taken there as guests of business sponsors but one group that didn't need a free ride over was the High Street Racing Syndicate which won the opening race of the meeting with Sausalito Bay, a nice 14-1 shot. The owners - Brian Wallace and Liam May of Castlethorn and builders Martin Lydon, Bernie Gallagher and Mick O'Rourke, only bought the horse in the last year for £60,000, but it was heavily backed by every builder at the course. The prize money of £46,400 means that the horse is earning its keep and more.

As soon as the races are over, Martin Lydon will be heading back to Blanchardstown, where he is shortly to develop 1,500 homes on part of the hospital grounds. Another builder who specialises in large scale development, Seamus Ross of Menolly Developments, also took time out in Cheltenham to keep an eye on two of his runners, Rossmuff and - surprise surprise - No Discount.