Politicians were hard to find at the Punchestown Racing Festival today despite the sunshine. There were plenty of glamourous racegoers among the almost 16,000 in attendance, but political representatives were like ephemeral wood nymphs; there were rumours they existed, but no confirmed sightings.
Someone said Deputy Willie O'Dea had been spotted emerging from a chauffeur-driven vehicle, but there was no photographic evidence and despite a hunt in hospitality tents, no one saw the moustache.
In the Clane GAA fundraising tent, reporters were assured local Deputy Aine Brady was ensconced with a selection of local councillors. Noeline McCreevy, wife of former EU commissioner Charlie, was there to judge the best dressed lady from Clane competition, but she was without her husband, and again there was no actual visual contact.
Football fans fared better though, with former Irish internationals Ray Houghton and Ronnie Whelan attending, as well as Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, there to support JP McManus. And for golfers, Padraig Harrington and his wife Caroline were present.
As is usual at Punchestown, there was plenty of style. Kay Mulcairne (35) won the Arnotts best dressed lady against strong competition. She received a €1,000 shopping voucher for the department store and entry into the overall competition today. In a silk and chiffon dress and jacket she introduced reporters to a new colour - "citrus".
But it wasn't only the female racegoers who put on the style for the day. Many of the bookmakers had made a big effort for the festival and among the most stylish was Rosario Mellett of Mayo from Jim Desmond Bookmakers. In fitted black and white shift dress she added a touch of elegance to the line of bookies set up between the viewing stand and the race course.
Working at Punchestown for the last five years, she was offering 2/1 on Ainama in the opening race, but wasn't giving any tips. "I never do, I don't even bet myself," she said.
The festival was quieter than usual, but had been a good one for bookmakers so far, she said. "Last year was very bad; the punters cleaned us out," she said. "But we're ahead this year."
Not to be outdone in the sartorial department, bookmaker Paddy Ennis from Gorey was looking dapper as he took bets in a navy blue pinstripe from Magee's with pink shirt and spotted tie. He first attended Punchestown in 1950 and has been working his pitch since 1963. He said the festival was holding up and the weather was really helping. "It's a good day for the bookies."
Asked for a tip, he generously offered Quevega in the big race, the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle. With a purse of over €100,000, the race was a popular one with punters and Quevega, the favourite, came in at 5/2. Ridden by Paul Townsend, the mare is owned by the Hammer & Trowel Syndicate, Sean Deane from Leitrim and Ger O'Brien from Kildare.
Mr Deane said the win was a dream come true. He dedicated it to footballer Philip McGuinness and toddler Fionn McGovern, both from Leitrim, who were killed in tragic accidents recently.
Mr O'Brien told the gathered crowd they were not as confident going in to the race as they had been going to Cheltenham, but they were very bullish. "So many favourites were getting turned over so hopefully this will supply a little relief for punters," he said.
As for politicians, perhaps it was better there weren't to many in attendance, Ainama in the Aon Insurances Hurdle came in third.
