LAST year saw some negative commentary surrounding the continuation of racing at the Curragh, although the temporary facilities were much better than the old grandstand. Maybe we still hankered after our old Curragh, and the signs of a new and improved Curragh were not yet visible.

That certainly can’t be said of this season and the development and improvements that hit you full on as you enter; immediate impressions are of grandeur and space. The sunshine helps, of course. The weather was easily the best of the improvements.

Local trainer Dick Brabazon was typically enthusiastic. There is currently a more limited view of the pre-parade ring and at the post-pre-parade ring (who knew such a thing could exist) he pointed out that steps were needed to allow for better tiered viewing on busy days.

ENGAGED

“But do you know the best thing about it all?” he enthused. “People are really engaging with it and are interested and passionate. Everyone has an idea of how it can be tweaked and that’s fantastic. I just love the feel of it.”

Steps around the various parade rings seemed to be top of everyone’s wish list. The few negatives came from racegoers who “didn’t wish to be named”. Were the cement foundations of the much-needed steps playing on their minds? The Curragh management needn’t get too busy with the concrete shoes, because complaints were minor and largely centred on racecards.

“What’s the first thing you expect to see when you walk into any racecourse?” an anonymous punter asked me. Toblerones, two for a fiver? “Racecards!” He was right, of course, and the solitary racecard kiosk was hidden away at some distance from the entrance. This proved a recurring complaint.

I was impressed that the first thing actually seen as you enter are the horses, down in the original pre-parade ring, the pre-pre-parade ring, if you like, although I would have preferred to be allowed in closer and on the rail itself.

MEMBERS

Brian O’Gorman attends all race meetings, home and abroad, and Santa will be busy with the steps this year, but Brian also foresees a major problem with the crossing point across the horses’ walkway, likely to be chaotic with larger crowds. “As members, we don’t really know where our seating area is,” he pointed out.

Keen racegoers Kate and John Dyer appreciated it was still a work in progress, “but the temporary facilities are very good. You still see the best horseflesh there is.” The long horse walkway did leave them “missing seeing the horses going out onto the track’’.

Temporarily ousted from his spot as resident artist, John Fitzgerald, about whom a BBC2 NI documentary will be airing on June 7th, was lavish with his praise and confessed to being blown away by it.

“Holy (bleep), I love it!” he enthused. “Visually it’s really good, I love the amphitheatre feel to it, the way you come in and it drops away from you. They’ve integrated the Queen’s Room and playground and it’s very contemporary.”

I believe the Victorians were only half right in their theory that children should be seen and not heard but the well-located children’s play area looks great, with new climbing frames and mini assault courses that could be loaned to the Curragh Camp during the week, and parents can enjoy a terrific view of the parade ring.

Racecourse photographer David Betts also has an artist’s eye, but having to dash back and forth he is concerned by the likely bottlenecks that will arise on big days. Steps? “Currently, for much of the parade ring the viewing’s not ideal if you’re under 5ft 8.”

For those like David working here, the view of the parade ring from the Media Centre can’t be topped (simply having a window is an improvement on the old press room), with a space not unlike the luxury of Longchamp. We have a racecourse of the highest international standard and no visiting press from abroad will be saying otherwise.

Feedback wasn’t all positive, however. One lady who preferred not to be named described the ticketing system as “very mean”, as Premier tickets do not include a racecard. Given the expenditure on view, with still more to come, free racecards are perhaps beyond the budget. Hopefully, though, it is merely an oversight that will be rectified at future meetings. If steps and racecards are the only complaints, there is much to look forward to in 2019 and much to enjoy already in 2018.