Being a professional jump jockey in Ireland is not easy. More than ever, the best horses are ‘locked up’ by a few top trainers who can call on the services of Davy Russell, Paul Townend, Rachael Blackmore, Robbie Power and Jack Kennedy. It’s arguably better to be a ‘sub’ for one of these top outfits than trying to make a name for yourself independently.

Among the younger riders trying to break through, take note of the names Conor McNamara and Trevor Ryan. McNamara (20) is a son of Rathkeale, Co Limerick, trainer Eric. He continues to impress and recorded his first big-race win last Saturday at Fairyhouse. It would be no surprise if a big British stable came calling for him.

Ryan, from Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, is a few years older at 25 and had ridden winners in Britain and America before coming home in 2018 and riding his first Irish winner. He found it tough going trying to compete against the big boys here and was close to giving up.

But, like his hometown hurlers, his luck started to turn this season and he has already ridden 11 winners this season, more than in the rest of his career combined.

Rain welcome at Leopardstown

Storm Brendan caused last Monday’s Punchestown meeting to be postponed for 48 hours but the rain which fell was appreciated at Leopardstown, which is due to host the two-day Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 2 February.

Watering a racecourse in mid-winter is unheard of but Leopardstown was on the brink of turning on the taps prior to this week’s downpours. Last year the Festival was slightly spoiled by a raft of non-runners due to drying ground conditions. Top owners and trainers, such as Michael O’Leary, are reluctant to ask their best horses to jump fences and land on hard ground.

Given normal rainfall over the next fortnight, the Dublin Racing Festival should provide great racing and throw up a hatful of future Cheltenham winners.

Thyestes Day not to be missed

The farming community is expected to be well represented at Gowran Park in Kilkenny next Thursday when the feature race is the Goffs Thyestes Chase. Billed as ‘the race that stops a county’, the Thyestes is more than just another big-money handicap chase. The day itself tends to have a special ‘countryside’ atmosphere, with thousands of racegoers enjoying an afternoon of racing, music and socialising. The first race is at 12.45pm. Our tip for the big race is the Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now.