GEORGE Erza could have written the soundtrack for Punchestown on Wednesday. Green green, grass, blue, blue sky.

The temperature was on the rise travelling down the N7 and, dressed for the sharp spring breeze of the previous days, there was a bit of sweat appearing around the saddlecloth by the second race!

It’s a bit alarming walking in and seeing an image of yourself standing large on the camera tower hoarding but Mr B McArdle had made sure The Irish Field team were visible paddock-side for the five days.

The great thing about Punchestown is space, and more space. Nothing more pleasing than wandering about on a warm day like this with so much outdoor seating and ample food outlets. It feels a totally different crowd than the more hectic Dublin Racing Festival or the singalong throngs of youth of Fairyhouse. There is plenty of room indoors.

And forget a dress code, come as you are. Johnny Fortycoats would be as welcome as high heels and fashion. Access to parking is quick and easy. Memories of Ratoath traffic on Irish National day well gone!

‘Share’ is the word of the day – honours are briefly swung away from the Mullins yard with winners for Liz Doyle, Paul Nolan, Martin Brassil and John Kiely. And John McConnell is present in the winner’s enclosure on many big days now. Nolan is back in the parade ring long before his winner returns and gets a cheer of his own.

TV coverage

On the RTÉ coverage, Hugh Cahill manages Ruby, Jane with Davy Russell joining and keeping the ‘dress casual’ code.

The crew are set up in a lean-to marquee behind the presentation stand and it’s an ideal spot in the middle of the parade ring. Another why didn’t we think of this before? Russell gets many good wishes from the passing racing folk.

The foursome have plenty of time to fill when a mix-up in saddle cloths is discovered on two Gordon Elliott runners in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle at 4.45. It looks bad to mix up the horses when Imagine, a more brown bay, has a huge bleached skin section on his shoulder.

It gives Russell a chance to recall a similar error in a point-to-point in his amateur days at Lismore. None other than J.J. Mangan had five runners and Russell’s was saddled incorrectly. Say nought and plough on was the attitude on those days.

The Corkman is going to be a huge addition to TV coverage, just for his in-depth knowledge and some wily tales.

Both Russell and Walsh remember the number (13) of their first Grand National winners! There’ll be good banter through the summer if Mangan, Walsh and Russell all join forces!

The two Elliott runners switch saddles and head off to the start only to be pulled back to reweigh. Though both carry the same weight, the saddles will be set up differently with lead to suit each rider’s weight, Walsh explains the mix-up. Walsh notes too how a stewards’ fine will be coming (Elliott was fined €500) but remember how well the yard’s multiple runners are turned out all year and all the times they get it right.

“Hugely unfair”

Paul Townend on the eventual winner Grangeclare West is not so understanding in his interview with Katie Walsh. “We got a bit worked up at the start, I thought it was hugely unfair to hold us up.”

The hold up also gave a chance to review the finish and Danny Mullins’ three-day ban for what looked a friendly whack of the whip to Townend when Energumene fought back to head Chacun Poor Soi in Tuesday’s Champion Chase. Neither rider appeared to confess the intention in the enquiry which may have contributed to the finding.

All is feeling good out in the betting ring – Pat Healy and the lads on the Mulvaney pitch are having the craic before the off. Kieran “The Weasel” Fitzgerald comes along for a selfie with the Ace Photo-eur

There were many feel good winners - Martin Brassil tells Brian Gleeson after his Gold Cup win, “You know what it is to dream.”

The RTÉ team are full of praise for J.J Slevin, with Russell saying: “He works, and works and works. There isn’t enough hours in the day for this chap to work. He’s a great chap and he deserves everything he gets.”

The second and third here get applause too - a wise Cork accent around the parade-ring says: “The Gold Cup left its mark. There was no third in that Gold Cup.”

The Bumper keeps up the trend – A Dream To Share makes it five wins in a row since last May, one of the stories of the year for the Gleesons and Kielys. Jane Mangan gets up close to them to share the success. “And to Marian at home in Dungarvan, that’ll get the blood pumping?” “I hope she’s still alive!” comes John’s reply.

Yes, it was warm and wonderful in the field of Kildare on Wednesday.