PLENTY of English and other overseas visitors were enjoying the pulsating racing at Punchestown over the week, some settled comfortably in the hospitality suites which these die-hard fans had booked in plenty of time. A group of 32 Cheltenham visitors were having the time of their lives and the maestro of Punchestown, Dick O’Sullivan, was everywhere, looking after them all and giving impromptu 60 (Kerry) seconds bursts of greeting.

In the shopping village, Roger Brookhouse stopped for a quick chat to Parrot but was firm that he let his “horses do the talking’’ as he anticipated the run of his Champagne West in the Punchestown Gold Cup (fourth).

Owner Michael Buckley and Isme, in a fabulous hat, were enjoying themselves despite the biting wind of the first two days and the man who looked like the cat who had got the cream was Colin Tizzard. He couldn’t but agree, as an admirer commented while he waited for Sizing Granite and Viconte Du Noyer, his one-two in the Guinness Handicap Chase to come into the winner’s enclosure on Wednesday: “This is all so easy Colin.”

Also racing was Ireland’s Olympic silver sailing medallist, Annalise Murphy. She is back in training for the European and World championships and is another sporting giant with a love of horses.

Michael Masterson, originally from Achill Island, owned the second of Harry Fry’s winners on Thursday, Minella Awards, and out came the Mayo flag which he threw over his winner. Michael is the happiest man in the galaxy – a Punchestown win is nirvana!

No doubt Michael and party were whisked to the new designated winners’ room to bask in that special glow and be cherished by Natalie Collins and her team, and to tuck into specially designed cupcakes iced with their winning colours.

Can’t wait for next year.