Challenges ahead if Dublin gala is to grow as jumping's most exciting concept

The dreaded second-album syndrome threw up its share of challenges for the Dublin Racing Festival and the countdown to the third instalment has already illustrated some of the event’s ongoing complexities.

It remains the single most exciting jump racing concept to have come about in recent years but it hasn't always been a bed of roses.

In 2019, total attendance fell seven per cent to 24,256, the number of British runners almost halved from seven to four and the Sunday card was decimated as a result of the prevailing quick ground.