THE drive from Trim, Co Meath to Listowel is an early week tester. A good solid three and a half hours, and the blustery weather on Tuesday didn’t help either. Nor did it help with attendance at the track I feel, but I’m told that’s expected.

“The flat just doesn’t appeal as much down here,” a guard tells me on the way in.

It’s interesting, because one of Kerry’s best sporting exports is a flat jockey and he’s back in town today. Oisín Murphy might not have brought in a huge crowd but those who have come to see him have been rewarded. He stops and chats with anyone who approaches him - pictures, selfies and autographs are no problem.

He goes close on Zephron in the second but even closer it seems on Dragon Malta in the third, until the judge confirms he indeed went all the way

As that deliberation went on, there was real tension in the ring and then real joy when the announcement came, with no one happier than Oisín’s mother Maria.

Things pick up on Tuesday evening back in town. It’s my first time in Listowel. I’ve heard people in and out of the industry describe the place as “like going back in time.”

I’m not sure that is accurate. Listowel is a charming, colourful, traditional town with strong local businesses. Lots of the shop and pub names are recognisable through their sponsorship at the festival. This is a town that stays true to its community roots. It’s probably a sad indictment of the modern day if this is seen as going back in time.

I’ve no plans to meet anyone, just to sample a few pubs, but five seconds after I walk into John B Keane’s, Ray Brassil calls me over. You might know Ray from the races where he is often serving pints.

He’d talk for Ireland, tells stories within stories and always has some punting advice. He’s drinking with Mark McDonagh, father of the jockey, and none other than Maria Murphy, soaking in the joy of having seen her son ride his first Kerry winner.

“He absolutely loved coming back,” she tells me. “That’s his first winner in Kerry altogether, he loved it.”

I tell Maria of how good Oisín was when I had him for the Big Interview a couple of months ago - as open as you could get talking on the phone to someone you don’t know. Murphy has gone through his trials and tribulations but he seems to be on the right track now and good luck to him.

Paudi Clifford walks in and then, as if it wasn’t already, it’s all gotten very Kerry. Paudi seems to know Maria well, so soon he’s over chatting to us. He’s in four horses with a few mates, all in training with Cian Collins.

“A Meath man,” I jest, to which he corrects fairly sharpish.

Paudi is asking Mark if his son has a chance in the National tomorrow to which he replies he has a great chance. Stealthy Tom for J.P. and Enda Bolger. It’s an upgrade from the good chance he gave him when I asked, but that was a few pints earlier and this is an all-star footballer.

A few more pints down in Mick the Pies pub and it’s time for the cot.

Wednesday is a different animal in Listowel. They come at the track from nearly every direction, spilling out from the pubs just 10 minutes away up the town.

Mark McDonagh rides the first winner, The Shantou King, at 11/1. I see his dad again on the way into the parade ring.

“Well I was talking to you long enough last night - no chance you could have given me that one?”

“I wouldn’t be giving much away to journalists,” he replies straight off the bat.

Before the Kerry National, I pop over to the Stumptown connections, which are headed by Ger Teohan. I spoke to Ger for a little piece after Cheltenham, where Stumptown came agonisingly close to winning the Kim Muir.

He says he’s nervous, but not as nervous as he was at Cheltenham. That’s a fine depiction of everyone in his vicinity. It’s a nervous excitement unique to a parade ring, pre big race.

In the end it’s Martin Brassil’s Desertmore House who powers clear on the run-in, allowing Ricky Doyle to punch the air in front of the packed stand. No better feeling I’d imagine. Ricky speaks very well after, more than willing to reflect back and outline what it means to win such a big race and his motivation to kick on. Exactly what you want as a journalist.

My night out in Listowel is quieter on Wednesday evening, which is at odds with the general mood of the town, which is in party mode. I’m happy with just two pints in the Shebeen pub, fully expecting United to concede at least two in their Champions League opener away to Bayern Munich. If only the horses were as predictable.

Thursday’s flat meeting at Listowel is my third and final day. It’s busier than Tuesday. Nearly every winner raced up with the pace before pulling away to win by a street. Except Arabian King in the last. He comes through the pack to win smoothly for Colin Keane. Keep an eye on this horse, on the flat and over hurdles.

It’s a first Listowel winner for Cian Collins. And though the Offaly owners are deliriously cheering, it’s very much a home winner as well. Like Paudi Clifford said, Cian Collins is a Kerry man and they’re a proud bunch down here.