Jumping has all the qualities to make a champion weekend
Maybe it is because you can no longer tee off for nine holes at 7.30 in the evening or that my missus is back at school or perhaps it is down to the announcement this week that a £1 million triple crown bonus would be on offer once again this season, but I can't help imagining what an Irish Champions Weekend in mid-January with hurdles and fences in the way would be like.
Picture this. No, not the former Sir Alex Ferguson-owned stayer. He is 13 now and hasn't run for almost five years so he would have no business being there. Imagine the following: both days at Leopardstown, which has performed so admirably in the attendance stakes for the real ICW; 16 races; seven Grade 1s; eight weeks before Cheltenham; massive prize-money; coats, scarves and trilbies; leaving the house in darkness at 8am; hot whiskeys; frozen toes; a winter wonderland.
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