Hear the Echo's unexpected victory in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday brought together old foes Michael O'Leary and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, SEÁN MacCONNELLreports
RYANAIR BOSS Michael O'Leary just could not help himself yesterday when we had all witnessed the spectacle of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, handing over the Powers Irish Grand National trophy to him at Fairyhouse.
"I don't get much off Bertie Ahern, but I'll take the cup for the Grand National off him any time," said Mr O'Leary.
Mr Ryanair was as taken aback as anyone on the course when his horse, Hear The Echo, won the big race of the day.
The 33/1 shot had surprised everyone, including the Taoiseach. Mr Ahern was having a day off from his trials and tribulations with his friends at the Co Meath course.
"I suppose if Michael had known it was going to win, he would have told me," said the Taoiseach.
Michael O'Leary seemed genuinely surprised that his Mouse Morris-trained horse had taken the big race.
"We had no money on him. I thought he was going out for a run to keep himself warm and it was an amazing triumph," he said.
Anyhow, the victory brought him face-to-face with the man he castigates so much in adverts.
As they chatted politely to one another, waiting for RTÉ to put out the presentation live on air, most of us thought that we were looking at two real professionals.
Following the presentation, Bertie moved quickly out of the parade ring, but was once again mobbed by well-wishers and shook hands with the men and kissed the women before making his way back to corporate land again where his friends, including Paddy the Plasterer, were reputed to be installed.
The Taoiseach, who was literally mobbed by admirers when he arrived at the course and spent time autographing racecards before heading off to the corporate area, appeared to be in great form. He said that he had already presented the Grand National Trophy 12 times in the past, 11 times as Taoiseach and once as Lord Mayor of Dublin.
"Will there be another time as Taoiseach?" I asked him.
"Of course there will. How many more do you want me to do?" he shot back.
Asked if he was enjoying his time away from the Mahon tribunal, the Taoiseach said that he did not see any of it this week and was enjoying the Easter week.
While Michael O'Leary had a great day, yesterday truly belonged to jockey Conor O'Dwyer, the former champion jockey who was riding his last race before concentrating on his new role as a trainer.
As happened at the recent Cheltenham festival, other jockeys formed a guard of honour for their departing colleague, shortly before he showed them how it is done by riding his last winner, aptly named Mister Top Notch.
O'Dwyer, who is well-respected as a jockey and a human being, took the third race in great style and then went on to pick up a number of presentations from the racing world.
The racing press wanted to know if he would ride one last time and make a trip to Aintree, but O'Dwyer was adamant that the Fairyhouse meeting, which drew a huge crowd yesterday, was his last meeting as a jockey.
However, he said, it would not be his last racemeeting as he was opening his stables in the Curragh shortly.
It was also a great day for Aoidin Sammon, a 20-year-old fashion student from Kilcock who picked up the "Best Dressed Lady" award and a bracelet worth €7,000.
Only time will tell how many punters were picked up by the random breath-testing road check which was set up on the motorway back to Dublin.
For me, it was a case of "winner all right". I passed. My only winner of the day.