The casual observer could be forgiven for assuming National Hunt racing rolls into high gear no more than two or three times a year.
Leopardstown and Kempton at Christmas, Aintree’s Grand National meeting and, of course, 'the Festival'.
Equine Superbowls that capture the sport-loving consciousness before back into hibernation the industry goes.
In reality, the game never sleeps. A hamster wheel that must be turned.
Before setting sail for Cheltenham over the weekend with three live chances in tow, trainer Paul Nolan’s mid-sized yard had the small matter of seven runners at three difference courses to navigate. The day job tugging at your elbow, even as you pack away your best suit on route to the big show.
Of those seven pre-Cheltenham runners, Backintheroom would go on to take a two-mile maiden hurdle at Gowran before, down the road at Navan, Daily Present – who held an entry for the Albert Bartlett before an ownership change – would justify 7-4 favouritism in a novice hurdle.
"You wouldn’t do this if you didn’t love it," Nolan insists, in the same matter-of-fact manner he says just about everything.
Distractions can be hard to find and even harder to make time for – but they're as welcome as they are necessary.
Nolan finds a diversion in one of the few disciplines more dangerous than top-class racehorse training – junior GAA club management.
You catch him the Friday before Cheltenham and recognise the familiar clack-clack of football boot studs on gravel in the background.
Nolan is on his way back to the dressing room after a challenge match his Wexford hurling side, Davidstown Courtnacuddy, were involved in.
"This is actually my kind of switch-off – if it’s a switch-off at all," Nolan – who wore the purple and gold himself in
Read more on rte.ie
rte.ie