Even those with most to lose are not bothering to down play the importance of the next five days at Punchestown, writes Brian O'Connor.
Organised competition might have begun at the famous Co Kildare track 153 years ago but the director of racing conceded yesterday: "This is the most important festival of all." It's not hard to see where Richie Galway is coming from. The new millennium has so far mostly been a catalogue of disaster for Punchestown.
In-fighting, controversy, no-shows and near bankruptcy have provided near soap opera dramatics that have appalled and enthralled in equal measure.
There is a lot riding on getting the 2003 festival right and the indications are positive.
Almost 80,000 people are expected to attend and with over a1.6 million up for grabs the quality of the racing could be exceptional.
Unlike Fairyhouse last week, and Liverpool before that, there has also been a welcome lack of controversy about the ground.
"The ground on the hurdles and chase track will be on the easy side of good. It will be a little faster on the cross country course," said Galway who added that heavy rain is not forecast to hit until Thursday night.
The stage is set then and the main player on day one will undoubtedly be Moscow Flyer in the a120,000 BMW Chase.
The two-mile champion chaser is attempting a remarkable fourth festival success in a row, even if his Champion Hurdle victory came in the transfer year to Leopardstown.
Apparently bomb-proof if remaining on his feet, nevertheless seven opponents will take him on today including three from Britain.
The former champion Flagship Uberalles was taken out of Sandown at the weekend but possibly a more interesting challenge will come from Latalonme.
He appeared the one most likely to threaten Moscow Flyer at Cheltenham until meeting his bogey fence at the second last.
Latalomne's rider today is Tony Dobbin who takes over from Vinnie Keane and the gelding's trainer Brian Ellison is looking forward to having another crack at Moscow Flyer.
Of the rest of the home defence, last year's runner up Killultagh Storm comes here on the back of a Fairyhouse success.
It remains impossible however to oppose Moscow Flyer who is a three-time course and distance winner and looks to be a champion at the peak of his powers.
Another Cheltenham winner looks to dominate the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle and Back In Front may not be finished with just this afternoon's a85,000 pot.
Edward O'Grady has outlined plans for a tilt at Friday's Emo Oil Champion Hurdle and whatever about taking on the seniors, Back In Front looks to dominate his novice opposition.
O'Grady said yesterday: "We have had a clear run with him since Cheltenham and if everything goes right, in all probability he will run again on Friday."
The Liverpool winner Limerick Boy travels from Britain while Noel Meade, minus the services of Paul Carberry for today and tomorrow, is triple handed.
Moscow Flyer's rider Barry Geraghty will also fancy his chances in the Grade Three Ellier Novice Chase aboard Barrow Drive. The SunAlliance third is up against the Liverpool-placed Joly Bey, who bids to give the top English trainer Paul Nicholls a first Punchestown success, and Eskimo Jack who started favourite for last week's Irish National.
This trip will suit Eskimo Jack a lot more but Barrow Drive is a hard horse to pass over two and a half miles and he has had a good break since Cheltenham.
The a100,000 Bewley's Championship bumper for mares is the richest bumper event of its type in the world and there are few more astute trainers for the big occasion than Dungarvan-based John Kiely.
He gave Reine Des Reines at start at Cork recently and a fifth there looked a promising warm up for today's contest.
Linden's Lotto hasn't seen a racecourse since December of 2001 when winning here off a rating of 128. The veteran 14-year-old is proven on the unique circuit and significantly Mick Fitzgerald has been booked for the ride by Tony Martin.
A total of 26 line up for the handicap hurdle and it looks a good opportunity for Michael Hourigan's Horner Rocks.
