Under starter's orders, then off to a flying start

The conditions and the pints were soft in Dublin Airport's Sky-view Bar yesterday, and as Cheltenham-goers downed pre-flight beverages, their grasp of reality was already on the easy side of firm.

It didn't take long to find somebody who knew somebody who'd backed Beef or Salmon at 50-1 to land the Gold Cup, while potential Irish bankers were being recited like Hail Marys on a Lourdes pilgrimage. If even half of them win, it will indeed be a miracle.

But it took Michael Lowry to remind us that racing, like football, is a funny old game. The Tipperary TD knows what it's like to fall heavily while going well, even if there was an optimistic note in his festival tip - Back in Front - to win today's opener for neighbouring trainer Edward O'Grady. He was cautious about the prospects for Beef or Salmon, however: for a novice to win the big one so soon would be "too good to be true".

This is the former minister's 18th year going to the festival, his experience telling him that "you need to be fitter than the horses to last the week". Lean and hungry, he appeared in good racing condition himself, and whatever about his political future, he was well towards the front of one race. Between politicians bound for Cheltenham or, later this week, for St Patrick's Day missionary work further afield, Dublin Airport is witnessing the largest exodus of Ireland's tribal leaders since the Flight of the Earls.

You could tell the racehorse owners from the mere punters at the airport yesterday because they seemed to be carrying some of the horses' weights on their shoulders. Typical was Conor Clarkson, from Stepaside in Dublin, whose horse is a well-fancied 10-1 to win today's first race and spoil Michael Lowry's day. He was a very good each-way bet, Clarkson admitted, while adding that he felt "extremely nervous" as the race approached.

"I have my fingers crossed, but it's a game that can kick you in the teeth," he said. This sounded like the voice of a man who knew from hard experience. And a little ominously for anyone thinking of backing it, his horse is called Kicking King.