Racing/Leopardstown Festival: Brian O'Connor talks to trainer Thomas O'Leary about his special young steeplechaser Newmill.

Inchydoney beach near Clonakilty in west Cork has hit the headlines recently with some rather corpulent political types lumbering across its sand, but before this week is out a much more impressive physical specimen will take a pre-Christmas paddle.

It's become something of a tradition that the strapping young steeplechaser Newmill, already one of the leading Irish fancies for Cheltenham's Arkle Trophy, pays a visit to the beach just before he races.

The horse's trainer, Thomas O'Leary, plays down any idea of superstition or luck but so far the mix of bracing wind, cold water and a wide expanse of sand seems to have worked better on Newmill than any health spa.

"It's just something we do and he loves it there," said O'Leary yesterday as he continues the build up to Newmill's first Grade One challenge over fences, Sunday's Durkan New Homes Novice Chase.

Mind you, if Newmill suddenly expressed an interest in dipping his feet into something a little more Caribbean, O'Leary would feel obligated to at least check out a few brochures. The 31-year-old trainer feels he owes the horse a lot.

Already a Grade One winner over hurdles last season, Newmill has helped establish O'Leary's credentials as a young man to follow in a highly changeable profession. The trainer remains convinced, however, the best is yet to come.

"We decided last Christmas that he wasn't going to go to Cheltenham. We gave him two more runs and then left it because we didn't want to over-do things with him. But provided we get good ground in March he is definitely going this time," O'Leary said.

A good win at Clonmel earlier in the month got those festival ambitions back on track after a lack-lustre chasing debut at Naas behind Like-A-Butterfly who he could meet again on St Stephen's Day.

"The horses here are about two and a half months behind because some of them started coughing in September. I knew they would get over it but it does get a bit panicky when there's nothing happening, owners are paying fees and you can't even jump the horses. I probably shouldn't have even run him at Naas but he's perfect now and raring to go," he declared.

O'Leary has to worry about the owners of 20 horses in the string he trains near Ballinascarthy in west Cork.

It's no mean achievement considering he only took out a licence in 2000 and was all of 20 years old before he even saw a thoroughbred in the flesh.

A family tradition of farming was not for him once he started working with Andrew Lee and after spells with various trainers, including a year with Aidan O'Brien.

His break, however, came closer to home. The 1996 Gold Cup hero Imperial Call enjoyed a last hurrah to his career under Raymond Hurley's care at Lissaleen farms, right next to the O'Leary property.

"Ray made the job look simple so I thought I'd give it a go," he grinned.

He converted some old buildings and sheds into nine stables, used the Lissaleen gallops for free for two years and once his first winner, Commanche Course in May of 2001, came along some impetus was generated.

"It was a struggle but all the same I thought it was a good time to start, what with the Celtic Tiger and the whole thing that Imperial Call generated around here. Hundreds of syndicates started in Cork on the back of him.

"The fact we're based down here doesn't seem to matter when it comes to travelling. I've got owners from Dublin, from England, even a man who lives across the road from Fairyhouse racecourse. But a lot of that is because of Newmill. He's done wonders," he said.

With Barry Geraghty committed to Kicking King's King George challenge at Kempton on the same day, O'Leary should have no problems finding a big race replacement. One that gets the trainer's name right might even have an edge.

"It's funny because down here everyone calls me Thomas but the second I leave the county, I'm Tom, Tommy, and a lot more as well!" he laughs.

Not surprisingly, though, O'Leary doesn't care what he is called just so long as Newmill is called in front.