For a man usually associated with air travel, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, was very much down to earth at Leopardstown yesterday.
His Gold Cup champion, War Of Attrition, was strongly fancied for the Lexus Steeplechase, but Mr O'Leary was pessimistic.
Shortly before the race began, he said his horse did not seem to jump well on soft ground. Yesterday's going was heavy.
"On the basis of his last few runs, you would begin to think he runs better on harder ground."
Mr O'Leary, who watched the race on a large screen from the parade ring, was proved right. War Of Attrition finished third behind the winner, Dorset-trained The Listener, and Beef Or Salmon.
Mr O'Leary's words of wisdom to The Irish Times came too late for Minister for Health Mary Harney, who had earlier revealed that she was betting on last year's Gold Cup winner.
Ms Harney, accompanied by her husband, Brian Geoghegan, said she goes racing at Christmas and the summer.
"I back horses according to their names. I don't bother with the form."
The Listener's jockey, Co Wexford-born Daryl Jacob, shyly kissed the winning silver trophy for the photographers. The silver armada jug was made in London in 1849.
Trainer Robert Alner said he he was delighted with the victory, adding that he thought before the race that Beef Or Salmon was a certainty.
"But our horse is young and improving, and I knew he would love the ground."
Fine Gael East MEP Avril Doyle had divided loyalties. While she attended Leopardstown, her daughter Liz, a professional trainer and jockey, was at the Limerick meeting. Other politicians observed included Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt, Minister of State for Finance Tom Parlon, Fianna Fáil TDs Joe Walsh and GV Wright, and Fianna Fáil Senator Ann Ormonde
Yesterday's meeting was held in bright sunshine for most of the day, and some of the female punters dressed in their finery.
They included TV3 news anchor Colette Fitzpatrick, who was so splendidly attired that she looked as though she had just stepped out of the station's make-up room to read a news bulletin.
Yesterday, too, again saw long queues for the ATM machine, as well as for burgers, beef sandwiches and chips.
But the best bargain of the day was an offer of a carton of fruit for €2 from the stallholders at the entrance to the racecourse.
However, as punters made their way home, they appeared too stuffed with beef and chips to avail of the healthy option.
Yesterday's attendance of 18,429 was up on last year's figure of 17,044, while the bookmakers increased their turnover from €2.4 million to €2.5 million.
