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Dublin festival turnout proves startling reality that Flat is now more popular
In recent years, jumping romantics have had to accept the reality Flat racing has overtaken the jumps as the sport’s most appealing option at grassroots level in Ireland.
On the Flat, the raw material is more affordable, trainers can compete viably at a lower level, there is a more comprehensive programme and an intelligible pyramid of excellence that promotes rather than dilutes competition.
Throw in the global nature of the market and it is not hard to understand why the jumps vocation is losing the democratic struggle for the hearts and minds of trainers.
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