Brendan O'Brien
ABOUT six weeks ago, the entire country was abuzz after hundreds of sightings of a meteor that whizzed across the evening sky. Well, I’ve got that beat because I’m pretty sure that I discovered a black hole yesterday.
I definitely fell into one.
One minute, I was strolling jauntily through Prestbury Park shortly before 10am. The next thing I knew it was spitting me out into the drunken taxi queues and the sun had punched out for another day.
Not the first man to depart a day at the races a little ‘tired and emotional’, you might say. True but, unfortunately, alcohol wasn’t the culprit this time. Crikey, I wish it had been.
No, let’s just say that nothing can prepare someone for their first day reporting on Cheltenham. World Cups, All-Ireland finals, Heineken Cup finals – all gravy compared to this, pal.
Back during the Vietnam War, US Marines used to tell new recruits that you could always spot the grizzled vets by their dead, glazed eyes. The ‘thousand-yard stare’ they used to call it.
Well, I know now where they meant. I’ve seen stuff, man.
The action itself may only span three hours or so but it is a rat-tat-tat of races, parades and interviews that can leave a man punch-drunk before long. And this is before you can even think about your own betting slips - don’t ask!
The scale of this whole thing boggles the mind. Two hundred people will be employed this week just to look after the track. Another 5,000 ancillary staff are needed just to serve pints and do all the other not-so-fun stuff.
It was no wonder then that the place was buzzing at half-nine yesterday morning, a full hour before the gates officially opened. The Greatest Show on Earth the PA guy called it when the hordes finally descended.
Our initial scepticism soon evaporated.
The numbers may have been down on previous years – punters reported much more elbow room down by the track – but the roar for the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle still tingled the spine.
That said, the memory that will remain long into dotage will be that first glimpse of ‘The Hill’. Just like the Grand Canyon, no picture or TV shot can do it real justice. Trust me, it is even longer and crueller than you can imagine.
Hopefully, we won’t be saying the same about Paddy’s Day.
