On the road with the peloton as racing comes out in force for charity cycle

With David Bowie's Heroes blaring out over the Tannoy, Pat Smullen's wife Frances Crowley led the peloton to the Curragh just shy of nine hours after their 155km journey began on the beach at Laytown. The 300 cyclists were all heroes for one day, but the man they were doing it for spent his whole life being one.

With the cash still coming in thick and fast on Saturday evening, the Coast to Curragh charity cycle in memory of Smullen had already raised over €110,000 for Cancer Trials Ireland.

Leading flat jockey Shane Foley at the finishCredit: Patrick McCann

The event was organised by Gavin Lynch, who stars on the Racing Post's popular Cheltenham Festival countdown show Upping The Ante. He lost his mother Olive to pancreatic cancer and admitted the whole occasion exceeded his expectations.

"I'm completely overwhelmed," Lynch said. "I haven't cried for 11 years since my mam died but I did today. I've been holding back the tears all day.

"There was a huge turnout and we've raised an awful lot of money. The day just could not have gone any better. It has way exceeded my expectations. I woke up this morning at 5.30am and I had no idea what to expect.

"The hardest bit was getting out of bed this morning at 5.30am! Ah no, the hill up to Bellewstown was the toughest. Even though it was early in the cycle, it's a 160-metre climb, that was the steepest one of the lot and it wasn't easy.

Rachael Blackmore taking part in the Coast To Curragh cycleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Having set off from Laytown at 7.30am, they made it to Bellewstown – the track Frankie Dettori will be gracing on Thursday evening – in less than an hour. From there it was on to Navan where Barry Geraghty joined in.

The rider of the brilliant Moscow Flyer and Sprinter Sacre took an early tumble but remounted and set some impressive early fractions on the way to Fairyhouse. A spokesperson for the bike said it was the rider's fault, not his mode of transport.

Paul Carberry pounced last and fast, in typical Paul Carberry fashion, to lead the pack into the home of the Irish Grand National. It looked as though he had just joined in, and after further investigation it turned out he had.

From Fairyhouse it was on to Moyglare Stud, for whom Smullen rode so many big winners. Naas next, then Punchestown, before the peloton arrived through the gates of Gilltown Stud just after a quarter to three to meet Harzand, the horse who handed Smullen his most glorious day in the Derby at Epsom in 2016.

Cyclists approach the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A hush descended as Harzand emerged to greet everyone. He posed for photos, in the middle of which he tried to nip Crowley. She was wise to the move, though. "Don't worry, I know only too well what he's capable of. Pat told me all about him," she laughed.

The home straight was a 12km stretch to the Curragh and the peloton was packed full of famous faces. Rachael Blackmore was there, and posed for any amount of photographs along the way. So too were fellow jockeys Shane Foley and Tadhg O'Shea, who did the whole thing. Tipster Kevin Blake was spotting doing some decent sectionals too.

"It's been brilliant," beamed Frances after completing the cycle. "It was tough going but I borrowed a bike belonging to Aidan [O'Brien] and it's by Galileo so I had no trouble getting home!

"It's wonderful that people are thinking of Pat and Gavin's mother Olive. Fair play to Gavin for organising it. Pat's brothers did the whole thing, Ger and Brian. They did loads of training for it. So too did his cousins Alan and Ken. It's been a very special day."

Rachael Blackmore at the finishing lineCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Special indeed, but the final word must go to the man who made it all possible.

"It was absolutely magical," added Lynch. "Above and beyond my wildest dreams. I want to give a special mention to my wife Ann Marie, who spent eight days in intensive care and did 80km of the cycle today. I couldn't have done this without her."

You did Pat proud, everyone. You were all heroes for one unforgettable day.

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