At Cheltenham: school of racing an incredible day away from class

It is Wednesday 16th March 2016. There are approximately 60,000 people at Cheltenham Racecourse. I am one of them. Around 15,000 have, like me, come over from Ireland. I don't know how many of those took a day off school to be here, but I think I'm the only one.

9.30am – At school, students are leaving assembly and walking to class. At Cheltenham, I am walking the course. The hoof prints from yesterday’s racing are still clearly visible. Maybe that one is from the mighty Douvan. Perhaps this one was made by new Champion Hurdler Annie Power on her way into the history books.

10.30am – At school, pupils are running around the playground. At Cheltenham, I am running from the last fence to the winning post up the famous Cheltenham hill. My boots sink into the soft, green turf. At school, the soles of the boys’ shoes slap against the hard, black Tarmac.