The sky was the limit at Leopardstown races yesterday. Bono, the most famous punter at the south Dublin meeting, has long known the adulation of fans among the pantheon of rock stars. He willingly signed autographs, the famous head clearly far removed from clouds of fame.
Arriving with his wife Ali Hewson and family, he told journalists he had thoroughly enjoyed the festive season.
"We had a great Christmas, the best. And you know what made it great? Nothing happened," he declared.
He looked forward to quietness and "the small matter" of releasing a new U2 album next year. "Relaxing stuff," he remarked, as he asked journalists for racing tips.
Probably the safest tip yesterday was the racing journalists' favourite, Sky's The Limit, for the feature race, the €120,000 Durkan New Homes Novice Steeplechase.
A field of just four began in what resembled a choreographed neck-and-neck race, but this was soon reduced to three. Sky's The Limit won narrowly in an exciting finish.
Former jockey and current trainer Michael Morris was giving away none of his professional expertise when asked earlier for a tip for the feature race. "None," he replied. "Go to the bar."
Politicians were few on the ground, although they are expected to be present in greater numbers today.
Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ardagh, accompanied by daughter Catherine, perhaps conscious of Government warnings on tight-belting, remarked that he was planning only a few small bets.
Former senior civil servant Paddy Teahon, no stranger to the world of politics, was an enthusiastic punter, even managing to pass on a tip for the Limerick meeting.
Having served the seven-year term as secretary general in the Department of the Taoiseach, under Albert Reynolds, John Bruton and Bertie Ahern, he opted for the private sector when he retired.
He is currently non-executive director of property company Treasury Holdings. "I must be the most occupied non-executive director of all time."
Asked if he missed politics, given the drama of this election year, he said: "I miss the peace process. It was very special, the history of your country."
Was he following current political developments?
"From afar, in a very relaxed way," he replied.
Film director Jim Sheridan, who is working on a project featuring a "dysfunctional American family", made a profit early on when he backed Tranquil Sea, winner of the first race, the Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle.
Others observed among the attendance were actor Stephen Rea and businessman Dermot Desmond.
There was considerable interest in a white stretch limousine, whose occupants emerged sipping champagne. Lucy Higgins, from Portmarnock, Dublin, had hired it as a birthday present for her boyfriend, John O'Connor.
Throughout yesterday, there were the usual long queues for drinks, burgers, beef sandwiches and chips. There was a long queue, too, for the ATM machines, suggesting that the Celtic Tiger still has a roar or two left.
However, the figures overall were down when compared to last year. The bookies' yield fell from 1,564,249 to 1,443,439; attendance fell from 18,011 to 17,004; and the tote was reduced from 550,845 to 533,072.
Perhaps the Celtic Tiger is going out in a slow canter rather than a sprint.