THE Goffs Thyestes Chase has been coined the race the stops a county, and looking at the closing stages of the big race itself, it seemed to briefly stop pre-season hurling too as a number of young racegoers (one better not say punters in these responsible times) got a great kick out of Ain’t That A Shame winning.

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore will have gotten a kick out of it too as the hitherto frustrating sort, disappointing at relatively short prices in the Grand National, Kerry National and Troytown, got his act together, racing in typically keen fashion but staying on well on near rail.